Finland's Office of Home Affairs announced yesterday that the country's two State-run gaming operators will begin offering customers online gaming in the near future, in an attempt to boost their market share.

Amendments have been made to the licenses of Veikkaus Oy and Raha-automattiyhdistyksen (RAY), allowing both of them to offer online gaming from next month onwards.

RAY filed a report asking for exclusive rights to offer online poker and casino games despite the fact the this measure is protectionist and unlawful under EU law.

It never ceases to amaze us how these state-run operators have no shame. On one hand they fight tooth and nail to keep licensed foreign operators out, claiming they are protecting the public from gambling addiction, while on the other, they invest heavily in increasing their product portfolio in an effort to entice consumers.

If it wasn't so despicable it would be rather comical, but the sad truth is that Finnish citizens along with millions of other Europeans are losing out as a result. Not only will a free and open gambling market in the EU increase competition and quality, but it will do more to ensure consumer protection and crime prevention.

Backers of a monopolised gambling markets claim this to be untrue, yet they have offered no proof to substantiate their arguments, while several independent reports have concluded that a healthy free market would serve consumers best.

We've seen it France and Germany and now we're seeing it in Finland too. State-run operators are strengthening their positions while working tirelessly to weaken the competition. It is the consumer that loses out and we are tired of the unlawful status quo.

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