Costa Rica joins nations seeking compensation from US in online gaming case

Costa Rica has joined a growing group of nations seeking compensation from the United States for economic hardships brought on by the US crackdown on online gambling. They join Antigua--which won its case against the US at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and was the first to seek compensation from the US under WTO rules--well as the European Union, India, and Japan. All of these nations claim the US's stance on online gaming violates treaty obligations under the WTO, and are seeking compensation in accordance with WTO procedures.

While we in the United States see the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA) as a product of the religious right, the rest of the world doesn't see it as a morality based law at all. They see it simply as a blatant act of protectionism, particulalry since the law contains exemptions for online wagering on horse racing and fantasy sports.