Finland: Preparations begin on gambling policy programme 2030

NordenBladet — Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Krista Kiuru has appointed a working group to prepare a gambling policy programme and to draw up guidelines for its implementation until 2030. The aim is to reverse the upward trend in gambling-related harm and problems permanently.

To prevent and reduce gambling-related harm effectively, we need a number of similar and mutually supportive measures that are carried out simultaneously and both in the short and long term. In preparing the programme, the working group will focus on preventive work, gambling services that aim to prevent harm, and guidance. The aim of the group’s work is also to ensure that players and those close to them have access to the necessary services to receive help for gambling problems. The programme will complement and support the measures of the National Mental Health Strategy and the Action Plan on Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs and Gambling as well as legislative drafting. The term of the working group will run from 15 March 2021 to 31 March 2022. The working group is chaired by Director Jari Keinänen from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The preparation of the programme was agreed on in the Government Programme.

The responsibility for implementing the programme and preventing gambling-related harm rests with three ministries. The Ministry of the Interior is responsible for legislation on lotteries, the Prime Minister’s Office for the ownership steering of Veikkaus Oy and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health for the prevention of harm related to gambling. The National Police Board monitors the provision of gambling services, and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare implements and coordinates the measures to prevent gambling-related harm. A working group consisting of public officials from these Ministries and agencies is responsible for preparing the programme.

Stakeholders will have the opportunity to take part in the preparation of the programme, and the working group will hear a wide range of experts and other operators in the gambling sector during its work.