Gambling Harm May Increase under New Law, Warns Finnish Health Institute

Similar to other countries in Europe, Finland is planning changes to its regulated gambling sector. A proposal in the country seeks to set up a gambling licensing system that will pave the way for the expansion of the gambling options available to Finnish customers and the transition from a monopoly model to a competitive market.

Currently, Veikkaus Oy holds a monopoly in the gambling sector in the country. Yet, per the new proposal, Finland will open its iGaming and sports betting market, allowing operators to secure licenses and offer their services. Despite the change, Veikkaus will keep its monopoly over land-based gambling, including slots, as well as lotteries and totalizator betting.

The proposal that will expand the gambling activities available to Finnish customers faced strong criticism recently. The research and development institute under the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), expressed criticism regarding the government’s proposal.

The THL warned that the proposed law prioritizes gambling profits and at the same time, introduces some of the most addictive gambling products, online gambling games. Speaking about the impact on social security services, the Institute predicted that the expansion of gambling will have a detrimental impact.

Additionally, the THL said the proposal lacks relevant restrictions related to gambling marketing. They also criticized the government plan for having insufficient protection for young adults who may get into gambling debt.

The Online Gambling Sector Brings Some of the Most Addictive Games

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have seen how convenient online gambling is. With the popularity come fears about the negative impact of the activity which may lead to gambling addiction and harm. In that line of thought, the THL warned that an increase in problem gambling or harm may put an extra burden on social and healthcare services.

Tomi Roukka, an expert with the THL, predicted that gambling harm may result in an increase in the demand for “financial and debt counseling services.” He spoke about the potential negative impact of gambling activities on young adults which can result in debt and economic difficulties.

Johanna Järvinen-Tassopoulos, the THL’s research manager, also commented on the topic. “The opening of the gambling market leads to an increase in the availability of gambling games that are considered as most harmful, and this will probably have the effect of increasing consumption and harm,” she explained.

Järvinen-Tassopoulos spoke about the importance of fighting gambling harm through “comprehensive common maximum spending and loss limits” that apply to all gambling operators. Instead, the government currently plans to enforce limits that are per operator, a move that according to the expert will promote gambling on multiple platforms. Finally, Järvinen-Tassopoulos explained that gambling limits must be mandatory and at the same time “sufficiently low,” in order to effectively combat problem gambling and harm.