Finland is pushing ahead with its proposed gambling laws review, although questions persist about the potential for increased gambling harms under the new framework. Lainsäädännön arviointineuvosto, an independent Legislative Review Council charged with evaluating the nation’s legislative proposals, released its findings on 2 January. The body called for more detailed assessments of the new legislation’s potential impact on healthcare resources and social services.
The New System Could Increase Gambling Harm
Finland’s Ministry of the Interior spearheaded draft legislation to reform the nation’s gambling system. One key proposal is to allow companies to offer gambling after receiving a license, ending the current monopoly structure. Other measures include account-based gambling, strict age limitations, and game-blocking measures to regulate participation. The legislation also envisions marketing limits and gambling harm mitigation measures.
The independent council welcomed the government’s acknowledgment of potential harms in the proposal’s impact assessment. However, it found that the bill lacked vital details on how an increase in gambling accessibility would affect people with gambling problems and their families. The council also caused concerns about the impact on healthcare services and prevention and treatment organizations.
How will the proposal affect the resources of municipalities and welfare areas if the need for support increases?
Lainsäädännön arviointineuvosto statement
These considerations raised questions about why the government was considering a model that would further increase gambling-related harm despite conflicting with Finland’s broader goals of harm reduction and consumer protection. The council observed that alternative models, like variable lottery tax rates, centralized consumption limits, or stricter age restrictions, were not sufficiently explored in the proposal.
A Thorough Rework May Be Necessary
The Legislative Review Council recognized that the draft legislation aligned with Finland’s impact assessment guidelines but recommended revisions. Their recommendations include a more thorough assessment of potential social harms, clearer justification for pivoting to a license-based model, and more robust risk mitigations and consumer protection solutions.
The Ministry of the Interior must rework its proposed legislation based on the council’s recommendations. If passed, the law would have significant implications for Finland’s gambling regime and would likely open the market to more operators. However, the council’s conclusions emphasize that any new framework must prioritize public health and safety.
The Council recommends that the government’s draft proposal be supplemented per the Council’s opinion before the government’s proposal is issued.
Lainsäädännön arviointineuvosto statement
This proposed shift represents a dramatic shift from Finland’s existing system, which limits legal online gambling to the state monopoly, Veikkaus. The ongoing debates highlight the importance of careful planning to minimize harm while fostering a regulated and competitive market. Whether the government’s final proposal will be able to do just that is yet to be seen.
