TALLINN - Tallinn is already known as a destination for booze tourists from Finland and stags from England. Now the city is set to attract a new niche of tourists 's poker players from Sweden. The inaugural Swedish Poker Championship was held at the Reval Park Olympic Casino last week, with some 300 Swedes flocking to Tallinn for the six-day event.
The Swedish Poker Federation was forced to shift the competition offshore to Estonia out of fear of a police crackdown.
Swedish gambling laws prohibit poker to be played anywhere outside of an official casino. That arrangement did not suit the Poker Federation, which wanted to operate the competition itself.
Further problems arose with the involvement of online casinos. Players were able to qualify for the tournament through various online operators, many of which are rivals to Sweden's government-controlled casinos.
Poker Federation spokesman Mikael Norinder said it was easier to head to Tallinn, where such a competition is legal.
"In Sweden you have problems with the police if you do not keep your event very private. We did not want to cooperate with the Swedish gaming monopoly, so we came to Tallinn, where we have good contacts with the casinos," Norinder said.
Although held in Estonia, the competition was only open to Swedish citizens.
The competition was no limit Texas hold-em with a prize jackpot of 5.67 million kroons. In all, 263 players took part.
In the end, 33-year old financial advisor Carl-Johan Geijer defeated 21-year old Michaela Johansson in the final draw to claim the prize.
Norinder said Tallinn could expect to host more Swedish events in the near future.
"It's a very nice city, it's easy for us to go there and we have good references with the casinos there. We have already decided to have our second annual competition there next year," Norinder said.
