50 Million Euros Spent by Finns on Internet Poker - 04-19-08 |
April 19 - The Finnish news agency STT, recently quoted the communications
manager for the Norwegian state-run gambling firm, Veikkaus, Ilkka Juva,
as saying that the legalization of a Finnish internet poker site could bring
in millions for the country.
According to reports, Finnish online pokers spend more than 50 million Euros
each year on their entertainment at sites that are located 'offshore'. This is
due to the fact that under the Finnish Lottery Law, no online gambling or poker
playing sites are allowed to operate from within the country.
Juva told STT that "we could gather the majority of the revenue flowing out.
Certainly not all of it but two thirds of fifty million euros could be
attainable."
This year has seen an increase of pressure on the Finnish government to
legalize and regulate online poker. This position was given official government
approval after the country's Minister of Culture and Sport, Stefan Wallin called
for the necessary steps to be taken to curb the flow of gaming revenue to
companies outside of Finland. His position was also influenced by the
government's desire to deal with problem gambling.
However, Wallin and other internet poker regulation proponents have come
against tough opposition, especially within the Finnish government. The Minister
of Social Affairs and Health has lashed out at Wallin's plans and has said that
there is no place for the expansion of gambling in the country.
The government is considering ways to tighten control on the gambling
industry while keeping within the framework of European Union trade pacts, and
the Finnish gambling law is expected to be altered by the end of the year.
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