Full Tilt Poker blogger and editor (their book is pretty good, and addresses some subjects not covered by a lot of the poker literature) has an interesting piece on the applicability of international law to online gaming in the US. He mentions that superstar attorney Alan Dershowitz, representing BetOnSports, is arguing that,
“the Wire Act and other laws forming the basis for the government’s case, in their application against internet services offered in foreign countries and accessible by U.S. residents, is inconsistent with a treaty the U.S. agreed to (and in some instances benefits from by enforcing AGAINST OTHER COUNTRIES), the General Agreement on Trade Services (GATS). The treaty, which was negotiated in 1994 and ratified by Congress in the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, limits restrictions on the supply of services from one treaty member to another. This treaty happens to be very specific in its enforcement mechanisms, so it’s not “advisory” or “self-executing” – the government can’t ignore it just because it doesn’t feel like following it.”
You’ll have to read the article (or be one of the many current/recent law school students reading this) to find out how this doctrine came to be called Charming Betsy.