The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) warns against opening addictive and fast-paced online gambling to more operators.
Yle News,
STT
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has said it considers it highly likely that harmful gambling will increase as the government dismantles the state-owned Veikkaus monopoly.
The government has introduced a bill that aims to break up the Veikkaus monopoly, reform the gambling system, and introduce a competitive licensing model, which is expected to be implemented by January 2026.
As part of these changes, Veikkaus plans to separate its digital gambling operations from its lottery and physical slot machine businesses.
Veikkaus currently has about half of the market share for online gambling in Finland. The other half is controlled by companies that are not allowed to advertise in Finland.
The change will take place so that in the future Finland grants licences to operators who would be allowed to advertise on the condition that they comply with Finnish regulations and pay taxes.
According to THL, the government’s proposal contradicts its goals of preventing and reducing gambling-related harm. THL expressed concern, highlighting that the bill would open up the most addictive and fast-paced form of gambling — online gambling — to increased competition.
THL also argued the reform will emphasise revenue over the health risks posed by gambling.
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