Gambling in Finland – criticism of MPs

A survey reveals skepticism with which the Finns encounter their MPs in terms of gaming policy. The majority do not trust the political responsible. There is a conflict of interest for the politicians because high tax revenue should oppose the well -being of the population.

Gambling monopoly from Veikkaus Oy

In 2017 there was a reform of gambling in Finland. The responsible authorities have decided To put the entire gambling repertoire in the hands of a provider: Veikkaus Oy. Before the gambling monopoly there were three licensed gambling companies. With this step, three goals should primarily be pursued:

• Better regulation of the market
• Reduction of the dangers that come from gambling
• Reduction of gambling advertising

Veikkaus Oy is now responsible for processing the lottery and casino business. In 2018, the company has sales of more than 3.1 billion $ and one Winning of more than one billion $ generated. In 2019, these figures have so far decreased somewhat, but sales of almost 1.5 billion $ in the first six months of this year are available. Railments of sales – even if they were only low – were loud Company report from Veikkaus Oy listed in almost all areas, while the lottery business could grow with an increase of 7.7 %. however, the finns are critical of the gambling monopolists according to a survey carried out by bilendi oy. in addition, the negative opinions have increased compared to an earlier survey from march. far More Finns are against the gambling monopoly than there are supporters. 40.1 % of the statement “finland should abolish the gambling monopoly and instead introduce a license system for gambling providers” in whole or in part. only 21.4 % are of a different or part of it. the survey also announced that veikkaus oy from the player perspective Too little for the player protection undertakes. Almost 45 % of the respondents stated that the measures by Veikkaus Oy, which are supposed to reduce the frequency of problemists, are reasonable. Only about a quarter think the measures are sufficient.

“However, the abolition of the gambling monopoly will not come so quickly, because it was only decided two years ago. Positive effects for the Finns do not only have to come out of the monopoly position, but also through other measures. ”

Nevertheless, a large part of the respondents think that Finland will abolish his gambling monopoly in the next ten years. Almost half (45.3 %) agree to this statement in whole or in part, while only 21.4 % are completely or partially disagreed. If the MPs value the opinion of the population, they will probably have to rethink their decision from 2017.

Gambling as an advantage for politicians?

Anyway the deputies are criticized because of their gaming policy. well over half (57.3 %) of the finnish adult voices of the statement: “the finnish mps want a gambling directive that is primarily an advantage for them” in whole or in part. only 9.9 % sometimes do not agree with the statement and only 3.3 % are completely different. the politicians see the respondents even more in the obligation to take other measures. this also affects, for example, the reduction of slot machines from the everyday environment. so far it has been common in finland that not only in casinos, but also in restaurants or even supermarkets slot machines were available. Of course, this enables uncomplicated with gambling: just do the purchases and then the walk to the slot machine is due.

“The idea of removing slot machines from everyday life is becoming increasingly important in all age groups,” says Janne Juntunen, Senior Client Service Manager at Bilendi Oy.

Almost 55 % agree to the dismantling of gaming machines in whole or in part. However, with 28.8 %, almost a third speaks against the statement “Gaming machines should be removed from the everyday environment such as grocery stores, supermarkets, restaurants and petrol stations”. So for some Finns it is simply part of it to discover slot machines at numerous corners.

Could the goals of the government be achieved?

Of course, only two years have passed since the gambling reform, but you can still take a quick look at the success or failures. Older numbers say that 3.3 % of the Finns show problematic playing. This is more than 180,000 Finns for a population of around 5.5 million. A change should not have existed since the monopoly of Veikkaus Oy.

“According to our studies, the number of problem players has not changed significantly,” says Hannu Rininen, the chairman of Veikkaus Oy.

In addition, of course, there is still gambling advertising. There are no longer different providers on the market that compete for customers. From the monopoly position, Veikkaus Oy also tries to win new customers. However, the annual advertising expenditure from 26.9 million $ (2017) to 23.8 million $ (2018) sunkenin the meantime, there is still a need for improvement in regulating gambling. In more and more players, not only in finland, use online casinos. In due to the simple implementation, there are still unregulated providers here. In better clarification of the population is important here. In in addition, the government wants in the meantime, there is still a need for improvement in regulating gamblingin the meantime, there is still a need for improvement in regulating gambling. In more and more players, not only in finland, use online casinos. In due to the simple implementation, there are still unregulated providers here. In better clarification of the population is important here. In in addition, the government wants more and more players, not only in finland, use online casinosin the meantime, there is still a need for improvement in regulating gambling. In more and more players, not only in finland, use online casinos. In due to the simple implementation, there are still unregulated providers here. In better clarification of the population is important here. In in addition, the government wants due to the simple implementation, there are still unregulated providers herein the meantime, there is still a need for improvement in regulating gambling. In more and more players, not only in finland, use online casinos. In due to the simple implementation, there are still unregulated providers here. In better clarification of the population is important here. In in addition, the government wants better clarification of the population is important herein the meantime, there is still a need for improvement in regulating gambling. In more and more players, not only in finland, use online casinos. In due to the simple implementation, there are still unregulated providers here. In better clarification of the population is important here. In in addition, the government wants in addition, the government wants 2023 an obligation to identify the slot machine introduce. It is questionable whether there are still inpatient machines at all.