Finland is moving forward with its plan to review gambling laws, despite lingering concerns over potential harms. The independent Legislative Review Council, Lainsäädännön arviointineuvosto, recently released its findings, calling for more detailed assessments on the impact of the new laws on healthcare and social services.
The proposed changes include allowing licensed companies to offer gambling, ending the current monopoly, as well as implementing account-based gambling, strict age limitations, game-blocking measures, marketing limits, and harm mitigation strategies. While the government acknowledges potential harms in its impact assessment, the council noted a lack of details on how increased gambling accessibility would affect people with gambling problems and their families. Concerns were also raised about the effect on healthcare and support services.
The council questioned why the government is considering a model that may increase gambling harm, conflicting with Finland’s goals of harm reduction and consumer protection. They suggested alternative models, such as variable lottery tax rates, centralized consumption limits, or stricter age restrictions, were not sufficiently explored.
The Legislative Review Council recommended revising the draft legislation to include a more thorough assessment of potential social harms, clearer justification for the license-based model, and stronger risk mitigation and consumer protection measures. The Ministry of the Interior must rework its proposal based on these recommendations. If passed, the new law could open the market to more operators but must prioritize public health and safety.
This shift would dramatically change Finland’s current system, which restricts legal online gambling to the state monopoly, Veikkaus. The ongoing debates highlight the need for careful planning to minimize harm while fostering a regulated and competitive market. The outcome of the government’s final proposal remains uncertain.
