Washington - In a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative sent on Monday, six lawmakers -- including House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, and House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers -- said the U.S. should consider altering its ban on Internet gambling instead of paying compensation to countries who say the U.S. is violating trade agreements, Reuters reported.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) recently ruled against the U.S. in a complaint brought by Antigua, over the U.S ban on Internet gambling; in response, the government "clarified" that it never intended to include gambling services in a 1994 trade agreement.

As a result, other trading partners could seek compensation for the government's decision to retroactively exclude Internet gambling from trade agreements, Reuters reported.

"Your agency has chosen not to consult with Congress, but instead to take what we view as a drastic step which could have significant consequences for the whole WTO system," the lawmakers said in their letter to U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab.

"We are writing to express our interest in considering possible legislative solutions that might restore U.S. compliance with the GATS agreement without renouncing any of our commitments under that agreement."

For his part, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) also in April introduced legislation that would create an exemption to the ban on online gambling for "properly licensed operators."

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/ysp89u (Reuters)

http://www.house.gov/frank/netgambling0407.html

http://www.ustr.gov