| | |  | Last Updated: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 |  | | | Gambling Firms Affected by Western Union Closures
- Monday, 23 Jan 2006
U.S. anti-gambling legislation is thought to be behind the recent closure of Western Union branches in the Caribbean nations of Antigua and Barbuda. Many online gambling firms rely on Western Union to transfer the payments made by casino fans to online casinos, fuelling suspicion that the closure is the latest in U.S. tactics to curb online gambling activity. The speculation began last week when Western Union closed four branches and suspended service to Antigua, leaving gambling operators desperate for answers.
Since then the closure has been explained by Western Union as part of an ongoing internal review. However many gambling operators remain unconvinced. U.S. anti-gambling legislation was at the fore of last year’s talks at the World Trade Organization when Antigua and Barbuda accused the U.S. government of unfair and discriminatory action against online gambling operators based in the Caribbean. While a ruling on the case is imminent, industry insiders predict that the U.S. will continue to flout the rules, with pressure on Western Union just one of many potential actions available.
Currently a number of payment options exist for casino fans to deposit money at online casino accounts. More recently online payment methods have proven more popular than the use of credit transfers or credit card payments. However Western Union has traditionally provided a safe and secure transfer method for gambling fans and many gambling operators believe that Western Union should be allowed to continue providing service without government intervention. To date Western Union is unable to advise when its branches will reopen in Antigua.
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