The European Commission issued a press release earlier today announcing that the European Union has launched an investigation into discriminatory trade practices by the United States in relation to the online gambling industry.

Although the European Commission had previously established an agreement with the US regarding compensation for the US obligations under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) regarding gambling commitments - an agreement widely ridiculed as inadequate - there is continuing pressure from the the US Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding activities of European gaming companies prior to the enactment of the UIGEA. The earlier agreement only covered compensation going forward.

While the passage of the UIGEA caused many poker rooms to leave the US, there are still a number of US Friendly Poker Rooms such as Full Tilt Poker and Poker Stars.