Several European governments are looking at ways to prevent online betting companies from competing with state-run operations. The European Commission has long been investigating complaints about abuse of European Union competition laws, and countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, The Netherlands and Hungary have all faced pressure to abolish their restrictions on foreign online betting businesses.

Finland has apparently come up with a new plan to eliminate competition under the guise of consumer protection for its citizens. A move to amend current law has been put forward by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health which plans to allow online poker players to claim back losses. The legislation would see operators, credit card companies and winning players liable to cover such claims.

Austria is expected to soon run its own national online poker site with restrictions on the amount played in order to limit problem gambling. The Austrian government seems set to then crackdown on private operators, much as has happened in Sweden, and against EU free trade rules.

Gambling is good for many European governments, as long as the proceeds fill government coffers. This double standard may be reprehensible but so far the European Commission has had little success in levelling the playing field. (E-01.22.08)

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