Gambling Harm Could Increase Due to New Law, Finnish Institute of Public Health Warns

Veikkaus Oy currently holds the gambling monopoly in Finland. However, under the new initiative, the country would open up the online gambling and sports betting market, allowing operators to obtain licenses and offer their services. Veikkaus would, however, retain a monopoly on land-based gambling, including slot machines, lotteries and betting.

The proposal to expand the gambling available to Finnish players has drawn sharp criticism. The Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), a subsidiary of the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, expressed concern about the government's initiative.

THL warned that the proposed law prioritises gambling revenues while introducing one of the most addictive games – online gambling – to the market. The impact on social services, according to the institute, will be extremely negative.

THL also noted that the bill does not contain sufficient restrictions on gambling advertising. The institute also criticised the government's plan for not providing sufficient protection for young people who may become addicted to gambling.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many users have appreciated the convenience of online gambling. However, as the popularity of this leisure activity has grown, so have concerns about its negative consequences, which can lead to gambling addiction and harm. In this context, THL warned that an increase in problem gamblers could put additional strain on social and health services.

Tomi Rukka, an expert at THL, suggested that gambling-related harm could increase the demand for “financial and debt counselling services”. He also noted the possible negative impact of gambling on young people, which could lead to debt and economic problems.

THL Research Manager Johanna Järvinen-Tassopoulos also commented on the topic. “Opening up the gambling market will increase the availability of games considered to be the most harmful, which will likely lead to increased consumption and harm,” she explained.

Järvinen-Tassopoulos stressed the importance of combating gambling-related harm by introducing “general maximum limits on spending and losses” that would apply to all gambling operators. However, the government is currently planning to set limits that would only apply to individual operators, which, according to the expert, encourages gambling on multiple platforms at the same time. She concluded by noting that gambling limits should be mandatory and at the same time “low enough” to effectively combat problem gambling and its negative consequences.