Anders Borg Said No to Int. Poker Network

Sweden's Finance Minister, Anders Borg, has denied permission for Svenska Spel to create an international poker network with other state-controlled gaming companies.  Even though they had a recommendation in the governments own report on online poker.

The government's initial recommendation was given because if their players were combined then state run sites could increase their liquidity and offer tournaments with much larger prize pools.  This would then attract other players away from "less socially responsible" private operators.

The decision might open for review in 18 months but for now the Swedish government is going to follow the recommendation of the Swedish National Institute of Public Health and not allow any expansion of poker. 

This comes as good news for private operators since a state controlled international poker network could end up as the largest online poker network in the world and this would cause thier own online networks to suffer and possible close altogether.