Congressman Cohen and EU Representatives Meet Regarding Internet Gambling Enforcement
Members of the US Congress and of the European Parliament raised and discussed the issues and agreed the need for a speedy solution for the sake of the Transatlantic relationship and for the integrity of the systems that govern international trade and justice.
Erika Mann, MEP and spokesperson of the Social Democratic Party in the European Parliament´s Committee on International Trade said, “it is very important that the United States and Europe set a good example in complying with their international obligations, you can only lead by example.” She added, “This case is important regardless of one’s views on gambling or on the jurisdictional challenges of ecommerce - it is simply dangerous to allow a precedent to be set where proven violations can be compounded by retroactive and discriminatory application of criminal enforcement; dangerous for the US, for Europe and indeed for the whole system.”
Colleagues from the US Congress agreed. Representative Steve Cohen, chairman of a House Judiciary sub-committee said, “This is an unnecessary dispute that should be avoided through sensible negotiation. There is no reason for the current US administration to compound policy decisions that were made in the last one and I am very hopeful that there can be a quick resolution to this matter.” His colleague, Representative Shelley Berkley who is co-chairman of the Transatlantic Legislator’s Dialogue and a member of the House Ways and Means sub-committee on Trade added, “the priorities for the world’s two largest trading partners lie in cooperation and a duty to uphold the integrity of the treaties we sign up to and I am very supportive of reaching an equitable settlement soon.” In relation to the wider issues being debated in the US regarding the regulation of Internet gambling, Representative Berkley added, “I noted that the EU Commissioner reiterated that it was a matter for the US as to how it regulates Internet gambling. I for one have campaigned for some time for an approach more like that offered in some European countries – licensed and regulated services that are transparent and protect customers. Maybe this issue can also help the debate on that score too.”
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Contact:
Marilyn Dillihay, Press Secretary, 202-225-3265
Charlie Gerber, Communications Assistant
Notes for Editors :
This release has been made jointly by the offices of Erika Mann MEP, Rep. Steve Cohen and Rep. Shelley Berkley.
The EU Commission’s announcement referred to above can be found at : https://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/respectrules/tbr/pr260309_en.htm