Antigua Ready to Take US to Court Over Black Friday
After the FBI shut down PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker on Black Friday, the entire online poker community was shocked. Initially, it was thought that with 11 people indicted, over 70 accounts under lockdown and the FBI involved that the sites would go down quietly into the night – however that is not to be the case. Absolute Poker and the government of Antigua are ready to take on the FBI with the help of the WTO.
Harold Lovell, the finance minister of Antigua, was quite incensed about the situation and issued a statement expressing his views on Black Friday. I am concerned that at this point in time United States authorities continue to prosecute non-domestic suppliers of remote gaming services in clear contravention of international law, he said, calling Black Friday an illegal closure of the US poker sites.
The case is based on the UIGEA and is sure to have a lot of support – perhaps from the PPA. It is about time that someone questioned the US government on what is one of the shadiest laws to be instituted. Perhaps the Antiguan government will ask questions as to why an act like the UIGEA – which was sure to face a lot of protest – was hidden in fine print in an another bill. The purpose of the UIGEA is also something that does not make sense.
Mark Mendel, who acts as the legal advisor for the Caribbean government also commented on the issue. I dont think theres another country in the world that puts people in jail for engaging in trade thats lawful under international law. Its as if Antigua would put Americans in jail for selling pineapples.”
The case will question why US poker sites are being punished while American casinos are allowed to offer poker. Other questions that might be raised are: Why is poker in the US illegal but legal in land based casinos and Is it within international laws to allow the US such freedom.
Mendel showed strong support for the three US poker sites that were recently closed by the FBI authorities. Theyre not defrauding anybody. Theyre not stealing money from anybody. Theyre just trying to run their businesses, he said.
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