FINNISH ONLINE GAMBLING MONOPOLY MAINTAINED
19 February 2010
Despite rumblings from the European
Commission, RAY and Veikkaus will exclusively offer
online action
Warnings by the European Commission as far back as 2006
that Finnish state gambling monopolies are in conflict
with EU principles of free movement of goods and
services appear to have gone unheeded by the Finns,
judging by this week's news that RAY and Veikkaus Oy
have been given the green light to exclusively offer
online action.
RAY (the Finnish Slot Machine
Association) and state lottery Veikkaus Oy are the main
state gaming monopolies, and will be allowed to launch
online poker and casino games when new and exclusive
licensing legislation comes into force early next
(March) month.
The monopolistic nature of the two
local companies has been largely backed by the Finnish
judiciary despite EC opinions and litigation by foreign
competitors.
In September last year the Finnish
parliament debated legislation seeking to prohibit all
forms of gambling advertising including event and sports
player sponsorship and branding....even where no
reference is made that could be construed as enticing to
gamble. The legislation was strongly supported by state
and public in Finland, favouring the three monopolies
Veikkaus Oy, RAY and Finntoto.
The proposals have
their roots in Finnish Supreme Court recommendations
following legal actions by foreign gambling companies
seeking to open up the market. The monopolies were
attacked for marketing gambling offers whilst justifying
the monopoly on grounds of the public wellbeing and
safety.
Online Casino News Courtesy of
Infopowa
More news here.
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