Veikkaus, the state-owned national betting agency of Finland, has confirmed that temporary online gambling loss limits that were introduced at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic will be made permanent. The news follows a government decree that approved the rule changes.
In May of last year, the Finnish government decreed that gambling loss limits should be reduced to protect players who may become affected by problem gambling as the majority of the country worked from home or took an enforced leave of work during the national lockdown.
These limits stated that players should only be allowed to lose a maximum of €500 each day while playing any online gambling games with Veikkaus while the monthly loss limit was set at €2,000. The limits were initially intended as a temporary measure but following the government’s latest decree, Veikkaus — which has a monopoly on gambling games in Finland — has confirmed that the limits will remain in place.
Speaking of the limits, Finland’s Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo said:
“The reduced maximum loss limit has been in use for a year. Loss limits are a good way to prevent gambling harm. In addition to gambling problems, lowering the loss limit will combat over-indebtedness and livelihood problems, and I am pleased that the daily loss limit will be permanently reduced from €1,000 to €500.”
The new measures coincide with Finland’s latest efforts to limit the impact of marketing by international gambling operators who, according to the Finish Lotteries Act, are forbidden from offering their services in the country.
Based in London, Natasha is a former sports journalist with experience working for some of the biggest athletes & brands in the world of sports and iGaming.