Gambling harms caused by electronic gambling machines should be prevented with state control

Abstract

Unlike in other Nordic countries, most of the electronic gambling machines (EGMs) are placed outside the Casino Helsinki and the gambling arcades in Finland. The placement of EGMs in non-casino locations, such as supermarkets, kiosks, and petrol stations, is matter of serious concern. We argue that availability and accessibility of EGMs has led to normalisation and banalisation of gambling in Finland. Exposure to EGMs also put at risk vulnerable populations and problem gamblers, who already suffer from the negative consequences of gambling harms. Gambling companies’ self-regulation initiatives and corporate social responsibility programmes are not enough to prevent and limit EGM related gambling harms. We suggest that Finland should follow Norway’s example and limit the availability of EGMs and transfer them from non-casino locations to gambling arcades. Finnish EGM policy should be a question of public policy guided by public health concerns.

A scoping review of gambling policy research in Europe

“…Most of these papers are discussion papers, outlining new regulatory models, rather than analysing the existing ones. Suggestions include wider regulatory and informative principles to improve consumer protection or welfare economics (Ch oliz & Saiz-Ruiz, 2016;Forrest, 2013), as well as concrete suggestions such as limiting the availability of EGMs (Järvinen-Tassopoulos et al, 2021) or personal gambling licences (Nikkinen, 2019). A review of the available policy instruments to reduce gambling damage is presented by Sulkunen et al (2020).…”

Between offshore competition and a duopoly: Gambling provision on and from the Finnish Åland Islands

“…There are, however, stipulations in the law 1966:10 that require taking gambling harms into account. 6 The situation is different again from the Mainland, where Veikkaus has faced increasing criticism for not upholding its task of limiting and preventing gambling harms (e.g., Järvinen-Tassopoulos et al 2021). In Åland, based on the interview material, "…similar discussion has not arisen, at least not at the same level, because the system in Åland is simpler…people are quite happy with the status quo."…”

Messages from research: Tobacco, drug use, gambling

“…Last but not least, a book review by Nikkinen (2021) and a discussion piece by Järvinen-Tassopoulos et al (2021) both emphasise the need for a great shift in gambling policies. In the review of Rebecca Cassidy’s book Vicious games: Gambling and capitalism , the absurdities and threats of the gambling industry are unveiled.…”