The European Commission has started an investigation after allegations that the U.S online gambling law discriminates against European gambling firms. The case could lead the affected countries to ask for another WTO arbitration if the European Commission investigation finds any possible conflicts or violations to the international trade rules. The Remote Gambling Association, an online sportsbetting conjunction filed a complaint last year claiming that the U.S bill is applying a discriminatory policy against foreign online gaming operators.

"Peter Mandelson, the EU trade commissioner, has called for U.S prosecutors to stop targeting online gambling companies with links to Europe - including London-listed PartyGaming (PartyBets, PartyPoker and Party Casino), Sportingbet and 888.com (PacificPoker and Casino on the Net” reported the British media.

"The US has the right to address legitimate public policy concerns relating to Internet gambling but discrimination against EU companies cannot be part of the policy mix. We are interested in a constructive and mutually satisfactory solution to this issue." said EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson.

The UIGEA have created some legal confrontations between the U.S and some of its trade partners, the U.S has already lost a case at the World Trade Organization regarding a claim filed by Antigua and Barbuda. Last year the U.S government expressed it desire to open certain services markets as compensation to the EU and other affected countries including Japan and Canada and as a way to avoid future WTO disputes.

The European Union's executive arm said it would try to find out whether the US restrictions break international trade rules and raise the matter with Washington.

“As the industry trade association, we cannot simply sit on the sidelines and watch while our members, who are already badly bruised by unlawful U.S acts, suffer the double whammy of being prosecuted for activities whilst US industry is not. The EU is backing an industry group which says the US is breaking free trade commitments by seeking to prosecute overseas online gaming companies that stopped taking bets from America after prohibition 17 months ago." said the Remote Gambling Association chief Clive Hawkswood.