Finland is joining the parade of European countries that are imposing new limits to help curb a potential epidemic of problem gambling during COVID-19 lockdown. The country’s Ministry of the Interior, which oversees gambling regulations, is imposing new loss limits for online players, and is halting lottery draws entirely. These new measures are set to take effect on Friday, May 1 and will remain in place until September 30 (which speaks volumes about how long the prudent Finns think the crisis will last).
According to reports on CalvinAyre.com and GamblingNews.com, players who log on with the Finnish gambling monopoly Veikkaus, can only lose a maximum of €500 ($523 USD) a month, which is a considerable drop from the previous limit of €2000 ($2169 USD) a month. Under the new measures, players will also be required to set a daily loss limit, so regular players must be mindful to stay within the monthly limit or risk not being able to play at all until the first of the month.
Interior Minister Maria Ohisalo acknowledged that the new limits would take a serious financial toll on the already struggling Veikkaus operation, but pointed out that protecting Finnish citizens is more important. Ohisalo did acknowledge that many players would likely migrate to the black market when the new limits go into effect. The Minister also said that the limits would remain in place through the end of September, even if the battle against COVID-19 is somehow won before then.
Finland is only the latest European country to impose limits to on locked down gamblers. Neighboring Sweden has imposed similar limits, while France is cracking down on online poker bonuses. More limits like this are certain to be seen in the upcoming weeks and months.