TIPPING WALES

Norway's government can establish a monopoly on gambling according to a ruling from the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) tribunal Wednesday. The tribunal supported the Norwegian position that the gambling monopoly does not violate the European Economic Area agreement. "The ruling is first and foremost a victory for problem gamblers and the struggle against problem gambling as a national health burden," Minister of Culture Trond Giske said in a press release. Lotteries and certain types of slot machines are often used to raise money for small organizations and charities in Norway.

When Wales has it's own National Lottery it would become impossible for the British to raid it to pay for British prestige projects like the London Olympics, that bring little or no benefit to Wales and it's people. Like Norway, Wales must have the powers to decide these matters in Wales's own national interests.