Finland review body wants assurances gambling legalization won’t backfire

Finland is preparing to pass sweeping changes to its monopoly-based gambling model and switch to a licensee-based model, but some qualms persevere.

Lainsäädännön arviointineuvosto, a review board in Finland, has urged the government to provide more details bout the upcoming gambling framework, and also outlined certain issues with the proposed new model, drawing parallels between the incoming re-regulation and the existing model.

Finland treads lightly ahead of licensee-based gambling market legalization

In short, the review body fears that gambling-related harm can increase, because the number of players participating will only grow.

This is echoed in other markets too, and most recently Minnesota, where several studies were presented to lawmakers, showcasing the potential harm the legalization of sports gambling could have on people.

Lainsäädännön arviointineuvosto tries to balance in its judgement of the new regulatory framework. The body argues that it acknowledges the fact that many players are already playing at black market operators, where they benefit from no protections whatsoever.

In the coming months, the government should make a point of emphasizing how it intends to protect consumers under the new regulatory model and what the duty of care from private operators would look like, as well as how it would be enforced.

The body is similarly critical of the fact that the government is proposing legislation that in itself acknowledges the fact, i.e. that allowing private operators to compete locally would likely increase societal harm.

In a translated statement, the body requires further details as to how this will be addressed:

"The bill remains unclear as to why it is proposing a model that is likely to increase the health and social harms caused by gambling. The bill should describe in more detail what risks the proposal poses to the achievement of the bill's objectives, the success of its implementation, and the fulfilment of the duty of care if gambling harms increase."

Supplements to gambling framework needed for best results

Before the new law is enacted, the government should take a closer look at what harm-minimization tools it has at its disposal. Lainsäädännön arviointineuvosto suggests that the government should take a much closer look at what taxes should apply, and whether certain limits and restrictions based on age or financial background should also be implemented.

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