Online Casino Transfer: News - Finland continues to rebel

02/26/2010		Online Casino Style: News Finland Continues to Rebel
Home History Games News Dictionary		More news erupts into the European Union’s issue with enforcing free movement of trade and goods among member nations, with the latest highlight coming courtesy of Finland. The nation, despite its membership in the European Union, and supposed agreement to all treaties there within, has been one of the most resistant to comply with the laws concerning online casinos and continues to defy union law by passing a law permitting their state gambling monopolies exclusive rights to internet gambling products. None of the warnings from the European Commission have been heeded by the Finnish government, so it comes as little surprise that they’re making yet another move to further infuriate the internet gambling community. The two state monopolies, RAY and Veikkaus Oy have confirmed to the press that they’ve been given the green light to offer online products, and will be the only two firms able to do so for Finland residents. RAY, the Finnish slot machine association, and Veikkaus Oy, the state’s lottery, will open up the new projects with the introduction of online poker and internet casino games as early as March 2010. The 1st of the month will activate the new and exclusive licensing legislation, exacerbating the situation with the EU Commission, and giving more power to the already dominating monopolies. The nation’s judiciary bodies continue to back the exclusivity, in spite of requests made by the Commission and litigation presented by offshore competition. It’s a full turn-around from the debates that arose in the country last year, when in September the government briefly considered banning all forms of advertising for gambling products, from lotteries to sports betting platforms. The proposal was strongly supported by the state representatives, with the bill drafted to support the three monopolies (RAY and Veikkaus Oy, and Finntoto) despite the prohibition of any reference ever being made to entice wagering.

02/26/2010

Online Casino Style: News
Finland Continues to Rebel

More news erupts into the European Union’s issue with enforcing free movement of trade and goods among member nations, with the latest highlight coming courtesy of Finland. The nation, despite its membership in the European Union, and supposed agreement to all treaties there within, has been one of the most resistant to comply with the laws concerning online casinos and continues to defy union law by passing a law permitting their state gambling monopolies exclusive rights to internet gambling products.

None of the warnings from the European Commission have been heeded by the Finnish government, so it comes as little surprise that they’re making yet another move to further infuriate the internet gambling community. The two state monopolies, RAY and Veikkaus Oy have confirmed to the press that they’ve been given the green light to offer online products, and will be the only two firms able to do so for Finland residents.

RAY, the Finnish slot machine association, and Veikkaus Oy, the state’s lottery, will open up the new projects with the introduction of online poker and internet casino games as early as March 2010. The 1st of the month will activate the new and exclusive licensing legislation, exacerbating the situation with the EU Commission, and giving more power to the already dominating monopolies. The nation’s judiciary bodies continue to back the exclusivity, in spite of requests made by the Commission and litigation presented by offshore competition.

It’s a full turn-around from the debates that arose in the country last year, when in September the government briefly considered banning all forms of advertising for gambling products, from lotteries to sports betting platforms. The proposal was strongly supported by the state representatives, with the bill drafted to support the three monopolies (RAY and Veikkaus Oy, and Finntoto) despite the prohibition of any reference ever being made to entice wagering.