The European Union's internal market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy yesterday accused the US government of protectionism in the way it is dealing with online gambling.

According to the Financial Times, McCreevy said: "In my view it is probably a restrictive practice and we might take it up in another forum." He said the case could go to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The commission has warned countries within the union that gambling and sports betting should be considered as any other service.

But the US has taken broad action against online gambling arresting executives at gaming firms, as well as firms which provide financial services to such companies.

Two former executives from payment company NETeller were arrested earlier this month on money laundering charges. Federal authorities also issued demands for information from a slate of financial services companies including Credit Suisse and HSBC.

The US has already lost one case before the WTO brought by Antigua. ®

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http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09/26/antigua_bush/
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http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/07/19/neteller_folds_doj/
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http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/07/10/neteller_lawrence_plea/
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http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/04/24/online_gambling_gaming_internet/
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http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/04/18/ntra_interview_wto_waldrop/
Slammed by the WTO, slammed at home (3 April 2007)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/04/03/wto_antigua_ruling/
Canada sticks the boot into Neteller (27 March 2007)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/03/27/neteller_canada_turkey/
Congressman Frank slams online gambling ban (15 March 2007)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/03/15/online_gambling_ban_law_stupid/
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http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/03/07/ecj_placanica_gambling/
Neteller waves goodbye to 250 staff (20 February 2007)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/02/20/online_gambling_round_up/
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http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/02/14/eu_online_shill_ban/
Israel bonds with US over online betting ban (8 February 2007)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/02/08/online_betting_israel/
Neteller funds held by FBI (6 February 2007)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/02/06/feds_freeze_neteller_accounts/
UK to regulate online gambling advertisers (1 February 2007)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/02/01/uk_online-gambling_advertising_regulation/
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http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/02/01/wto_us_online_gambling/
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http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01/22/us_gaming_subpoenas/
Gambling enabler Neteller craps out (17 January 2007)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01/17/neteller_founders_arrested/
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http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01/17/online_gambling_news/
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Online gambling poised to pull $528bn (12 December 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/12/12/gambling_2015/
Antigua files injunction against American overkill (8 December 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/12/08/betonsports_antigua/