The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has raised concerns over the government’s proposal to establish a new gambling framework. In July, the Ministry of the Interior initiated consultations with government bodies on plans to revamp Finland’s gambling regime by 2027.
State-owned Veikkaus Oy is expected to end its monopoly on land-based and online gambling by 2026. The government aims to introduce competition to the online gambling market by dismantling Veikkaus’ monopoly. Reform advocates argue that Finnish authorities struggle to regulate consumer interactions with unlicensed online gambling sites, with Finnish bettors spending over €500 million annually on such platforms.
However, in a review submitted to the Ministry of Social Affairs, THL expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the proposed changes. The Institute warned that a competitive licensing system may not improve consumer protection and could exacerbate problem gambling.
THL acknowledges that Veikkaus currently holds about 50% of the online market share, with the rest controlled by companies operating illegally in Finland. Despite the need for reform, the Institute is concerned that removing Veikkaus could lead to a rise in gambling addiction. According to recent THL research, 4.2% of Finns, over 150,000 people, face gambling problems, with men particularly at risk. Previously, about 3% of the population had serious gambling problems. The agency highlighted that men are particularly vulnerable to the problem, with 6.6% of men reporting gambling problems. Among women, the figure was 1.8%.
The Institute recommends that if the new regime is implemented, it should include robust policies to limit the most addictive and fastest-growing forms of online gambling. Critics of the reform argue that the focus should be on strengthening consumer protection and addressing problem gambling, rather than prioritizing revenue generation.
THL’s concerns are supported by data indicating an increase in problem gambling despite a decline in the overall number of gamblers. The Institute emphasizes the need for policymakers to carefully consider the potential public health impacts and ensure that adequate safeguards are in place before liberalizing the gambling market. Without such protections, the proposed changes could lead to significant public health issues.
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