Finland is Considering Banning Online Gambling

May 21, 2009

In a move that can only be seen as combatitive toward the European Union, Finland has been discussing an online gambling advertising ban. The problem with this is that not only would it keep outside countries from advertising their online gambling sites, it would also keep their internal online gambling companies from advertising as well.

A move like this would only serve to hurt them as well as keep others out. According to a recent study, with 41% of Finns participating in online gambling on a weekly basis, a move such as this would truly hurt their economy�s bottom line. The current monopoly as it stands runs various online gambling, betting and lottery options within the country. They have a monopoly for each brand of online gambling, with RAY operating their slot machines and casinos, Finntoto handles horse racing, and Veikkaus Oy is their lottery.

The monopoly as it stands is in trouble with the EU for violating free trade laws. The EU Commission has filed a formal complaint but it is still pending. But more than 82% of Finns approve of the monopoly and do not want to see it changed so that others can come in. They are actually very happy with the way that things are now.

But if the online gambling industry is unable to advertise within the country itself they would find that they are losing out on money that they would have gotten from bringing in those other clients. This does not make residents happy, as they don�t want to see their online gambling go away because of a new law.

 

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