In response to Wallin’s comments, Kari Paaso, his counterpart in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health dismissed the suggestion on Tuesday, saying: “Domestic games would simply make everything even easier for gaming addicts. We will track the situation and watch where it is going”, he added.

In response, RAY communications director Matti Hokkanen said: “RAY, just like the government, has set the maintaining of this exclusive right in Finland as an important goal. Our estimate is that in the present unregulated and fast-moving environment, the start of Internet casino activities would mean a threat of a certain degree to RAY’s monopoly.” At present, RAY has exclusive rights to slot machine and casino activities in Finland. “We have the technical capacity to facilitate online poker. Launching the operation would not be without complications, however, as it would undoubtedly add to some individuals’ gambling problems”, Hokkanen added.

Restrictions for a Finnish operator could not be significantly tighter compared with the overseas operators. Otherwise players would simply choose a foreign gaming site, he said.

According to Veikkaus Oy communications director, Ilkka Juva, Veikkaus also has the technical expertise to set up online poker. “We have plenty of technical and business experience in such matters. It is not an impossible idea at all, should the government and the gaming license holders so agree.”

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