Democrat Governor of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick attempted to pass a bill that would not only send gamblers to jail for playing at online casinos, but the very same bill would help three land based casinos establish themselves in the state.  He has received criticism from friend and foe alike, including fellow Democrat, US Representative Barney Frank.

After 6 hours of debating the hypocritical bill against online casinos, a Democratic led House voted it down 106-48.  The defeat of the bill ensures it will not resurface until next year at the earliest.

The pivotal committee vote against the bill was engineered by House Speaker Sal DiMasi.  DiMasi’s sentiment after the vote was that the people of Massachusetts had victory over “big money special interests lost.”

On a global scale, the very same protectionist attitude that Patrick was attempting to employ in Massachusetts is what got the United States into hot water with the World Trade Organization. 

When the US banned online casinos, dominated by off-shore companies, with the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, the small island governments of Antigua and Barbuda sought action by the WTO.  The US was in violation of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).  The US government still permitted the many full casino operations in various states while attempting to ban the foreign dominated market of online casinos.

Exempting horse racing and state lotteries from the new law, led the World Trade Organization finding the United States guilty of protectionism.  As a result, Antigua was awarded financial compensation for loss of business. 

The US Government has been shamefully uncooperative with the WTO.  Patrick’s actions would be yet another insult to the international audience.