Gambling
Gambling is part of everyday life in Finland and traditionally considered to be a source of fun for the whole country. However, gambling may cause problems and become excessive, which is why it is important to prevent the harmful effects of gambling.
Gambling refers to the wagering of money or something of value in a game. When gambling, the gambler may win entirely or partially on the basis of chance.
In Finland, the Act on Substance Abuse Prevention entered into force in 2015. The prevention of gambling problems became part of substance abuse prevention.
In Finland, 70 percent of people have gambled in the past 12 months. Of these players, 30 percent play exclusively online, while 14 percent play both online and in physical locations. A further 24 percent of Finnish players gamble only in physical locations, which refers to playing games of chance outside the internet, such as in casinos and grocery stores. The most commonly played Veikkaus games are lottery games or Joker (52 %), scratch cards (40 %), slot machines (18 %), and daily lottery games (17 %).
Low-risk gambling is a milder form of gambling problem, whereas moderate-risk gambling and problem gambling are more severe forms of gambling issues. In 2023, about 325,000 individuals (9 %) gambled at the low-risk level, and approximately 151,000 individuals (4.2 %) gambled at the moderate-risk or problem gambling level. In addition to the gamblers themselves, the gambling problem concerns 733,000 friends and relatives of the gamblers. Read more about gambling and help available to gambling problems in Finland
Factors that make a person vulnerable to the risks associated with gambling include, for instance, weak self-esteem, experience-seeking personality, mental problems, abundant use of alcohol, and ADHD. Some gamblers seek escape from difficult life situations. In addition, certain medication may lower impulse control and, as a result, expose the person to gambling addiction.
From the perspective of the prevention of gambling harm, it is important to talk about gambling and identify high-risk gambling.
A typical feature of a gambling problem is that gambling starts to control your life. Gambling may take precedence over basic needs and obligations. A gambling problem usually involves secrecy and shame.
Excessive gambling may cause financial or mental problems or problems in interpersonal relationships. At the level of society, consequences include treatment and social welfare costs, absences from work, reduced work performance and potentially also crime.
If you have problems with gambling, the Peluuri service is there to help. You can also contact Gamblers Anonymous.
European NGOs preventing gambling harm
EHYT Finnish Association for Substance Abuse Prevention’s Gambling Harm Prevention Unit has been taking part in building a European network of NGOs working on gambling harm prevention. The network is called the European Gambling Harm Prevention Network EGHPN.
EGHPN’s website: www.eghpn.org.