Remember that World Trade Organization case from not too long ago that Antigua brought against the U.S. (and, by the way, won, though it had no practical effect)?  Well, it is rearing its head again and could be a boon to poker players around the world, and especially in the U.S.  Absolute Poker is based in Antigua, a tiny Caribbean nation that gets a significant portion of its gross national product from online poker/gaming.  It has long alleged that the U.S.’s anti-online poker stance when contrasted with it allowing online horse-betting and live poker is protectionist.  In perhaps one of my favorite quotations of all time, the Antiguan government’s legal advisor said “It’s as if Antigua would put Americans in jail for selling pineapples.”  How can anyone argue with that logic?  Unfortunately, many Americans are not against pineapples for moral reasons.  So here we are.

Anyway, all this is well and good, but the legal system pretty much played itself out with the original case and failure of the international community to stand up to the U.S.  But, just maybe, if Antigua can make enough noise again, and, just maybe, if the U.S.’s current stance ends up having a significant effect on the pocket books of larger countries via reduced rake from decreased play (think Britain), just maybe enough pressure will be exerted on the U.S. that it will alter its stance.  If you asked me whether I would bet on this happening my answer would be that you better be laying me some serious pot odds — more than it takes to draw to a one-outer on the river.  But in the game of life, and with nothing for me to lose at this point, I’ll take those odds cause it’s all I’ve got.  In the immortal words of Jim Carrey — “So you’re telling me there’s a chance… *YEAH!*”

Way back in 2004, Antigua and Barbuda (let’s call it Antigua for short) won a somewhat landmark ruling from the World Trade Organization (WTO) that the U.S. infringed its rights regarding internet gambling, including poker.  The ruling presented the opportunity for Antigua to seek sanctions against the U.S.  But nothing much transpired in the interim.  (Just a hunch, but Antigua may really really really value its trade agreements with the U.S. and not want to jeopardize them lightly.)  Looks like the calm may be ending though.  Antigua has signaled that it is considering approaching the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to sanction the U.S. and get the money/relief the WTO long ago said the struggling island nations are entitled to.  Back in 2004 when the story first broke commentators suggested that Antigua’s leverage might be enough to force the U.S. to change its online gambling (or, at least online poker) stance.  Maybe this recent development will reinvigorate that possibility.