[bigboydan]

so much for western union in Antigua

MORE GAMING WOES ... US takes aim at Antigua Internet gambling industry again

Wednesday January 11 2006



by Marabel Jacobs


Speculation is rife that the week long closure of Western Union offices in Antigua & Barbuda is another move by the powerful United States to restrain gaming companies operating in Antigua & Barbuda.

Consultant and former Director of Offshore Gaming Ron Maginley said the Western Union situation has to be seen in the perspective of the WTO issue with Antigua & Barbuda and the US.

“As far as I am aware it is the only jurisdiction for which it has done this closure.

“I don’t know whether or not this is because of gaming, but certainly questions arise as to why Western Union would have taken a unilateral decision to only shut down offices within Antigua & Barbuda in light of our continued action at the WTO.”

http://www.antiguasun.com/paper/?as=...00c9506262411e

[tacomax]

It really is laughable. Didn't the government learn anything from prohibition?

[pags11]

damn, so almost all of money coming into this country was because of online gambling?...

[bigboydan]

heres the latest on this story:

Antigua Western Union services remains suspended

Tuesday January 24 2006
Antigua Sun

It remains a virtual wait and see situation as the services at the four branches of Western Union remain suspended until further notice.

The SUN learned that the team which came to Antigua to conduct a compliance audit has completed its work and had returned to mainland USA with its findings for further analysis.

It is now up to the head office in Miami to make a determination as to whether or not operations will re-open.

Operations on the island are now in limbo with many customers, who depend on the company’s money transfer services, forced to seek alternate means.

Western Union consultant at British American, Henson James said they were awaiting information from Western Union’s head office and could not do anything until then.

Until that time the company’s operations in the country will remain suspended.

Local branches have been closed for over two weeks.

The suspension, according to a Western Union official, was the result of an ongoing internal review.

The official, speaking to the SUN in a recent interview, said Western Union monitors its business and periodically conducts routine reviews of its agent base and during the course of such reviews identify certain circumstances which require further attention.

He further stated the date for service restoration at that time had not been identified, but the company is working towards that end.

Western Union operations at Jolly Harbour, Spencer’s Supermarket, Liberta, M&M’s on Old Parham Road and British American on Redcliffe Street, have all been affected by the closure.