ST JOHN'S (AP) - Antigua will continue developing its Internet gambling industry despite pressure from the United States to prohibit the practice, the finance minister said Wednesday.

Finance Minister Errol Cort said at least 10 new online gambling companies will open on the Caribbean island next year, joining 14 others that already have been granted operating licences.

Cort said the new companies will generate some 500 new jobs and more than US$2 million (euro1.7 million) in gambling licences fees.

The United States contends that Internet gambling should be prohibited because it violates some US state laws. Antigua says the US position is contrary to global trade rules.
Antigua's has taken the dispute to the World Trade Organisation, which has yet to rule on the matter.

Addressing Parliament during his annual budget presentation, Cort said the government will tightly regulate Internet gambling to meet "the most stringent international. practices".

No US federal law prohibits gambling, which is regulated by state law. In many states, gambling is banned or permitted with restrictions.

In 1996, when US lawmakers first sought to control Internet gambling, 30 websites received bets totalling US$30 million (euro25 million).

The Internet gambling market is expected to grow to US$18.4 billion (euro15.6 billion).

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