ANTIGUA COMMENDS INTRODUCTION OF REMOTE GAMBLING LEGISLATION IN CONGRESS

The government of Antigua and Barbuda today welcomed the news that Rep. Barney Frank, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, has announced he will introduce legislation in the Congress to repeal last year's Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and substitute a regulatory scheme for remote gambling in the United States.

Antigua has won a hard-fought victory against the United States over remote gambling at the World Trade Organisation in Geneva, a victory that was enhanced by the latest WTO ruling on the matter released just last month. As a result of that decision, the United States is obligated under the WTO rules to give Antiguan service providers access to consumers in the United States.

"While we have not yet seen the legislation," stated Dr Errol Cort, Antigua's Minister of Finance and the Economy, "we are encouraged that such a prominent legislator in the United States has stepped forward in support of a rational approach to the provision of remote gaming services." We hope that the bill as introduced will recognise Antigua's victory at the WTO and bring the United States into compliance with its WTO obligations." The United States needs to comply with our ruling if it respects the system and expects other countries, such as China for example, to adhere to adverse rulings that the United States may obtain in its favour using the process.

Although the United States which has a history of complying with adverse WTO decisions announced it intended to comply with the decision of the WTO in the Antigua case, the only action taken since the decision was handed down was last fall's Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which ironically moved the United States farther out of compliance with the WTO ruling by adding to the trade discriminatory effect of United States remote gambling laws.

Mark Mendel, Antigua's lead counsel on the Internet gambling case, said in reaction to the news "This is great news. Hopefully there is something for us in the bill, and if not, we will do our best to see that something is included."

Mr Mendel added that Antigua would be engaging with Rep. Frank's office after Antigua has had a chance to review the legislation. "Whatever the bill might specifically say," added Mr Mendel, "this is an excellent development. It is about time that the United States gave this issue the thoughtful consideration it deserves rather than simply trying to prohibit it. Antigua has been successfully regulating this industry for a decade now. It can be done."

Bingo Lingo: What You Need to Know Before Playing Online Bingo

by Ashley Randazzo and Anthony Wayne

What do "DIY," "CMIIW" and "EAK" mean? Well to an online bingo player it's obvious that they mean "Do It Yourself," "Correct Me If I'm Wrong" and "Eating At Keyboard."
Eating at keyboard? Now that's one dedicated online bingo player! And besides, who really needs to know that?

Online bingo has been stirring up the nation with it's addictive games and special promotions. Now feel free to meet some new people with your very own chat component and a special language to go with it.

It's amazing how many cyber-friends are found through internet bingo chat rooms. Its amazing to see how many people are playing who seem to have known each other for years. And, to think that they probably live on different ends of the country, or the world, and may share only one thing in common--a love for online bingo.

First it was AOL instant messenger who coined the infamous chat language for all who used the program using acronyms like "LOL" and "BRB" meaning "Laugh Out Loud" and "Be Right Back." Bingo has taken this acronym language to the next level with the help if its' players clever terms put into three to five letter acronyms.

Of course, when a player is chatting online and concentrating on the fast paced internet bingo action, one couldn't expect them to be able to type full sentences too! Not even the most experienced online bingo player can do that.

With every chat-based game or chat program there is of course a specific chat etiquette one must follow to meet a new friend or two. The game of bingo is no different, and it even has its own list of etiquette terms and conditions.

According to play-internet-bingo, some obvious etiquette to follow would be not using offensive words and treating everyone in the bingo chat room with respect. Kindergarten etiquette anyone?

Surprisingly, many people still can't follow that rule. There are other terms that players may not know of such as not impersonating other players in the bingo chat and welcoming the "newbies" or new players into the chat when prompted. All etiquette descriptions promote the making of new friends in online bingo chat rooms.

There are many different ways to say things in bingo language. If you're leaving for a minute or two one could say the usual "BRB" for "Be Right Back" or the new online bingo acronym "AFK" or "Away From Keyboard."

Many online bingo players will take a timeout from the action to cook dinner, watch a juicy soap opera scene, or take a phone call. Players just put their bingo game on automatic and cards are automatically purchased for upcoming games. Some players even play automatically while they are at work!

Imagine the excitement a player feels when he or she comes home from work or running an errand and sees that he or she has won a thousand dollar jackpot! It happens!

Saying "hello" and "goodbye" are different as well. For "hello" use "GD" or "Good Day." "See you later" can be put using "TTFN," meaning "Ta Ta For Now."

One might say the beauty of this online bingo chat language is the simplicity and a lazy person's ease at making conversation. And, we all need simple pleasures in our crowded and rushed lives.
Using bingo chat language is a quick way to say things without typing them out completely. But proceed with caution, putting a letter or two in the wrong spot could make your online bingo buddy say "GR," or "Good Riddance" with a click of the mouse.