The Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare (THL) has expressed deep concern about the increase in cases of gambling disorders in Finland. This is despite the fact that gambling participation rates in the country are declining, as revealed in a public survey conducted by the institute to study the prevalence of various levels of risk among the adult population.
The Institute, which is responsible for tracking data on addiction disorders and abuse, periodically conducts the Population Gambling Survey.
The latest survey in 2023, which included 5,977 people, found that 4.2% were at moderate risk or problem gambling. The number of people engaging in moderate risk or problem gambling is estimated at around 151,000 in the general population, representing an increase from previous THL surveys where the rate was 3%.
The gambling participation rate among Finns has dropped to 70% in the last 12 months, including 65% of women and 75% of men, amounting to approximately 2,500,000 people. This is a marked decrease from the 78% prevalence recorded in 2019/2020 over the same period.
Anne Salonen, Research Manager at THL commented: “The Finnish government and health services should be kept informed of any anomalies associated with the harm and prevalence of gambling. Despite the decline in gambling activity itself, preliminary results clearly indicate an increase in more serious problems.”
It is interesting to note that reports on the prevalence of gambling in Finland include data from state gambling operator Veikkaus and Åland operator Paf.
In 2023, Finland’s new conservative coalition government under Petteri Orpo committed itself to a “policy agenda” involving a review of state assets.
The coalition’s program aims to end Finland’s current monopoly gambling system and introduce a new licensing model “by 2026 at the latest.”
The THL study was presented to the Finnish Parliament (Suomen Eduskunta) as ministers began revising the “Lottery Act to abolish monopoly structures and introduce a new market structure.”
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