Online Poker websites are attracting growing numbers of Finnish poker players, causing increasing concern among government officials. As are a number of countries currently prohibiting its citizens from wagering online with foreing sites - be it poker, casino games, sports, or bingo etc. - officials among these governments are beginning to admit that they'd rather see the revenues going to local gaming operators than leave their country for websites based offshore.

The Finnish government is said to be considering following in Norway's footsteps and joining other countries sanctioning state-controlled online gambling websites.

According to industry experts, Finns spend an estimated 80 million dollars annually on foreign online poker rooms and casinos.

Also, in a recent interview with a Finnish news group, Ilkka Juva, the Communications Manager for Veikkaus, Norway's government-owned gambling organisation, is quoted as saying that up to two-thirds of the funds flowing out of Finland could remain in the country, if poker sites operated from within Finland.

Studies conducted in both Sweden and Norway suggest that state-controlled poker and casino websites lead to significantly less problem gambling cases than foreign-based sites. While this alone should compel the Finnish government to reconsider permitting state-owned gaming sites, the Ministry of Social Affairs & Health is still vehemently against allowing any online gambling within the country, state-owned or otherwise.