Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy outlined measures to strengthen gambling monopoly
Finnish Government press release
On Tuesday 25 February, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy outlined measures with which to strengthen the gambling monopoly in Finland. Licensed Finnish gambling operators are ensured an opportunity to develop their activities in a responsible manner to be able to renew the supply of their games and remain attractive in the rapidly changing and digitalising operating environment.
The Cabinet Committee decided to support the gambling operators' proposal to set up a digital monitoring group. The monitoring group is to analyse ways of preventing operations that violate the Lotteries Act.
To achieve this, the Cabinet Committee decided to examine if it were possible to tackle illegal marketing through the criteria set for radio and television licences that are granted by the Government. At this stage, the blocking of financial transfers will not be proposed as a primary instrument and alternative means will be assessed in cooperation with the gambling operators and relevant authorities. Citizens' awareness of safe and legal gambling will also be enhanced. Proposals for the prevention of gambling activities that violate the Lotteries Act will be prepared by the end of 2014.
European Commission ruling
The policies adopted by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy are based on the European Commission's decision according to which the Commission will not take action as regards the legality of Finland's gambling monopoly. In November 2013, the Commission closed its infringement proceedings against Finland concerning the cross border provision and marketing of sports betting services. As a result of the proceedings, the Finnish Lotteries Act was amended twice during the previous parliamentary term and, for example, a section governing the legal marketing of gambling was added to the law. At the same time, a statutory gambling monopoly was established.
In its press release, the Commission concluded that the revised law constitutes a consistent and systematic pursuit of the objective sought by the establishment of a gambling monopoly in a Member State. According to the Commission, the revised law also corresponds to the requirements set by the Court for a gambling monopoly.
After having issued the press release, the Commission has, in a number of international forums, referred to Finland as a prime example of a country with a gambling monopoly. In Finland, gambling activities are provided by the three operators licensed under the Lotteries Act: Fintoto Oy, RAY (Finland’s Slot Machine Association) and Veikkaus Oy.
The position discussed at the Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy was based on a broad-based preparation undertaken by the ministries responsible for gambling activities in Finland. Consideration was also taken of the work conducted by a parliamentary working group and views expressed by the gambling operators.
Inquiries: Päivi Nerg, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of the Interior, Chair of the advisory board on gambling activities, tel. +358 295 418 803