The EU and US Trying To Work It Out…plus Rep. Franks Bill Gaining Steam

It’s being reported that US Representative Ron Kirk and EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton met on Monday to work on trade issues. There were four main issues they agreed to concentrate on in the next few months with one being online gambling.

The EU has said the US is in violation of World Trade Laws and has asked on a few occasions for the US to come into compliance; adding, that if the United States fails to comply with the law they will be forced to take the issue to the WTO.

The meeting on Monday though showed that both countries were ready to set down at the table again to come to an agreement. The EU Commissioner Aston said that the four issues they have chosen to move forward on look ripe and hope to come up with a creative solution for all. Hopefully the creative solution they come up with will be in favor of legalizing online gambling in the United States.

There is some other positive gambling news to report today. Barney Franks has introduced both his bills for this year. One would be to delay the enforcement of the UIEGA until further studies could be done on the impact and the other bill is to legalize and tax online gambling.

In the beginning it seemed both bills didn’t stand a fighting chance and would end up the same position as the bill Rep. Franks introduced in 2008. However it seems now that the bills are making head way. Bill H.R. 2267 which legalizes online gambling has enormous support by lawmakers and now has more than 40 co-sponsors.

Lawmakers on the other side of the aisle are recognizing the support of the bill. Some even saying that supporters of online gambling are ready to fight this time.