April 22 - Is the idea of Finland online poker becoming a reality? If the country's Minister of Culture and Sport, Stefan Wallin, has anything to do with it, the answer is yes. Wallin has constantly called for changes to Finland online poker laws, claiming that the present gambling policy blocks any success that the government may have in preventing problem gambling, as well as deprives state coffers of millions of dollars spent each year at offshore companies.
According to the latest statistics, Finland online poker fans spend $80 million annually at sites that are located outside of the country's borders, due to the fact that internet poker sites are currently illegal. Wallin bemoans the loss of the revenue and has called for sweeping changes in the law.
A Finnish news agency quoted Ilkka Juva, communications manager for the Norwegian state-owned gaming organization, Veikkaus, as saying that nearly two thirds of the revenue spent by Finnish online poker players could be recaptured into the local market if a state poker site was launched.
However, these numbers have not been successful in swaying the opinion of Finland's Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, which remains adamantly opposed to any expansion or legalization of the country's current gambling laws.
Nevertheless, the issue, it seems, will be determined by a specially selected Internal Affairs Committee that has been given the task to review recommendations about the future of online poker in Finland, and make any suggestions to the country's parliament by the end of 2008.
It is hoped that the example of successful state-run companies and sites in neighboring countries such as Norway will lead the Internal Affairs Committee to make the right decision and legalize the industry - for everyone's sake.
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