The government of Finland has shown its concern over the fast growth of unregulated online based gambling in the country, especially foreign poker sites, and its negative impact on the community in terms of illegality and gambling addiction.
In response to this phenomenon, Finland’s minister of culture and sport, Stefan Wallin, said that the government should have an active role in the control of this growth and start acting now. He proposed the creation of an online poker service administered by the government in order to keep players away from illegal foreign poker sites.
The minister proposed that the state lottery undertook the creation of the online poker service and announced that if this finally happens, the resulting revenue increase could be used to public causes and to fight gambling addiction.
Wallin declared: "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," and "responsibility would mean setting an 18 age limit and requiring players to identify themselves."
