/ Editor / 22 January 2008 / Leave a comment

IN Finland, no-one can hear you scream.

And if things go one way, no-one can play casino online, either.

In that fair, fair, fair land, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes a change to the rule that allows online poker players to claim back any losses.

According to the Helsingin Sanomat daily newspaper, the suggested legislation would see losing players receive their money back money from either the firm providing the online game, a credit card company or the winning player.

In practice, the Ministry's plan would see foreign companies running online poker services prevent Finnish players from taking part in games as these players would be too great a risk to an organiser.

''The official claim is consumer protection and we feel that claim is unjustified," says Sigrid Ligne, Secretary General for the European Gaming and Betting Association.

''Why focus on Internet gambling when traditional land-based offline gambling is being promoted in Germany?''

Because it is is any easy target, and easy to control?

Play online and pretend your in Helsinki, or not...

Tags: Finland