Finland to set up state-run online poker?

Finland to set up state-run online poker?

Tuesday, 22 January 2008

Stefan Wallin, the Minister for Culture and Sport in Finland, has announced that his government should consider running an online poker service in a bid to tempt Finnish gamblers away from foreign poker sites.

Stefan Wallin, the Minister for Culture and Sport in Finland, has announced that his government should consider running an online poker service in a bid to tempt Finnish gamblers away from foreign poker sites.
He added that if the Slot Machine Association or Veikkhaus, the state’s lottery and betting monopoly, took on the responsibility for online poker as well, the extra revenue generated could be spent on public services or combating gambling addiction.
'It is difficult to halt the rise in the popularity of online poker. It would be better to offer players a legal and responsible alternative,' Mr Wallin said.
'Responsibility would mean setting an 18 age limit and requiring players to identify themselves.'
The move is modelled on Svenska Spel, the Swedish state-owned lottery and gaming group, who had been authorised a couple of years ago to provide poker services to Swedish players. Since it was given the task of providing poker to their inhabitant’s, Svenska Spel has had over 100,000 players sign up.



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