European Union takes issue with sports betting monopoly in Finland

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The European Commission has threatened to bring Finland before the European Court of Justice over the monopoly on sports betting enjoyed by the state-owned Veikkaus.
      Finland now has two months to respond to the Commission's statement.
      Veikkaus currently has exclusive rights to market legal sports gambling services. The company also runs the weekly national Lotto draw. The profits go to benefit organisations involved in good causes linked with culture, public health, education, and sports.
     
According to the Commission, the existence of a monopoly does not necessarily violate EU regulations as such. However, the Commission objects to the fact that Veikkaus is allowed to market its services extensively through private retailers, while other gaming operators are not allowed to promote themselves.
      The Commission also finds that Veikkaus does not meet the definition of a non-profit charitable organisation, because of its marketing, and the ambitious business goals that it has set for itself.
     
Finland says that the monopoly is necessary in order to keep gambling under control. As the Commission sees it, Finland's words do not match its actions, pointing out that the state monopoly encourages gambling through advertising campaigns.
      Several companies have repeatedly complained to the EU about the Veikkaus monopoly in Finnish betting. The Commission issued similar warnings to Denmark and Hungary.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  UK bookmakers Ladbrokes file complaint against Finnish restrictive practices over Internet betting (19.8.2003)
  Supreme Court: New gaming law unconstitutional (31.8.2001)
  European Commission taking gaming monopoly member-states to court over restrictions on gambling operations (15.3.2006)
  Wanna bet? Finland´s gaming monopolies are under attack (16.12.2003)

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