Gambling is an activity that people around the world find interesting, including Finns. But the gambling market in Finland is kind of different from many other countries – it’s quite restrictive and the state has a monopoly. For those interested in learning more about gambling in one of the best countries in the world to live in, Finland, we’ve put together an article with some useful information.
Finland is a vast country with beautiful lakes and forests, known for its successful education system and generally happy population. Like all other countries in Scandinavia and most other parts of the world, gambling is allowed in Finland, both land-based and online. Online casino comparison sites like Kasinohai offer Finnish players an enjoyable source of entertainment, just like the country’s brick-and-mortar casinos.
As a whole, the casino industry in Finland is large and continues to grow with each passing day. In this post, we take a closer look at the legal definition of gambling in the Scandinavian country and how the industry is changing.
The Lotteries Act Regulates All Types of Gambling
In Finland, as in all other countries where gambling is allowed, there’s a gambling law in place to ensure that all gambling takes place under fair conditions.
To begin with, all types of gambling, from casinos to betting, are provided by the state-owned company Veikkaus Oy, and Finland has had a state monopoly on gambling for over 70 years. This includes the Lottery Act, which regulates all forms of gambling to combat problem gambling and crime.
That said, all forms of gambling in the country, whether digital or land-based, are regulated. However, it’s not possible for a foreign gambling operator to obtain a gambling license, as Finland has a gambling monopoly.
Casinos Can Only Target Adults
Like most gambling regulations in the world, gambling in Finland can only be targeted at adults over the age of 18. This means that anyone going to gamble at an online casino must verify their age, which they must also do when playing slot machines in public places.
If casinos or kiosks/shops offering gambling services do not guarantee that the person gambling is over 18, they can be convicted of participating in criminal activities. It’s simply about protecting the most vulnerable in society and reducing the risk of gambling addiction among the population.
Marketing Should Be Done Only in Moderation and Responsibly
Another requirement of the Finnish government is that gambling should only be advertised moderately and responsibly. In other words, excessive marketing isn’t allowed and advertising must not promote irresponsible gambling activities.
However, only Veikkaus is allowed to advertise gambling in mainland Finland, so they must comply with the restrictions set out in the Lotteries Act. This means that advertising must not promote gambling that can cause economic, social, or health-related harm, and must not target young people or other vulnerable groups in society.
In addition, all marketing must include information on the age limit for gambling, i.e. 18, and the tools and services available to cope with any problem gambling.
Despite the Monopoly, There Are Many Operators to Choose From
Although Finland is governed by strict gambling legislation and the government has a monopoly, meaning no foreign operators can offer gambling to Finns, there’s plenty of choice for those wanting to enjoy all kinds of gambling.
Therefore, there are both some land-based casinos that can be visited in the major cities of the country, and on the internet there’s a wide range of online platforms with different games for unparalleled entertainment. So despite the restrictions, it’s hardly the case that Finns have nothing to enjoy once they wish to gamble. And they can do so safely.
A Gambling Industry With Many Restrictions, for the Benefit of the Consumer
In summary, there are many laws and regulations governing the gambling industry in the large Scandinavian country of Finland. The gambling monopoly still exists, which among other things distinguishes the country from its neighbors Denmark and Sweden, who have chosen to abolish the monopoly.
The Finnish government believes that the monopoly and the strict gambling regulation exist for a good reason. They mean that government regulation is the best way to reduce the negative economic, social, and health effects of gambling, not to mention reducing criminal activity. In addition, they can use all gambling profits to fund activities that benefit the population, such as sports and education, science, culture, and so on.
We doubt that the gambling monopoly in Finland would be abolished. But we should also not forget that it was only a few years ago that Sweden became more liberal in terms of gambling and started allowing foreign operators to apply for Swedish gambling licenses. So maybe they’ll follow the lead of their elongated neighboring country, who knows?
