Finland Introduce New Advertising Rules and Regulations
Finland’s gambling authority has banned the use of slot machine advertising as well as adjusting individual payment restrictions to protect players. After a stern review from the Finnish government, they’ve decided to impose far stricter regulations concerning gambling marketing material as well as slot machine adverts. The national authorities are deeply concerned by the rising numbers of problem gambling across Europe. They want to counteract this growing trend by implementing new and safer changes to protect players in casinos and online.
Finland regulators have issued a new decree banning the use of slot machine advertising for the foreseeable future. Several instances of increased problem gambling have led to a crackdown on betting-related marketing and social media activity. These changes are set to come into effect immediately. ©Free-Photos/Pixabay
After several scathing reports related to the increase of problem gambling in Finland, the government submitted an appeal to parliament to revise the current advertising laws. After several days of deliberation and media attention, it was confirmed after a government spokesperson contacted Finnish betting company’s to inform of the changes. While it may not seem like a huge deal at first, the real impact of restrictions could have a severe knock-on effect that is yet to be judged.
According to the Finland gambling authority minister, these new laws are to combat the disadvantages online betting can bring. Exploitation is a major issue, and the government are looking to protect those who are psychological vulnerable from invasive advertising. By removing slot machine marketing, a safety net can be established to noy only protect current users but also potential future players as well. While slot machine adverts aren’t very common, regulators still view them as predatory, and their removal is essential for the protection of the public.
Another aspect of the new bill is payment blocking, a system that can prevent an individual from over-spending once they’ve reached their financial limit. A precaution to make sure casino users can leave without regret and maintain a social and leisurely aspect to the activity without overdoing it. This will also exist on every online betting site in Finland, including international brands such as Bet365 and Paddy Power. All land-based casinos will have technology in place to keep track of spending and lock users out once they have reached the limit.
These enforcements will extend to all forms of online betting and land-based gambling, meaning that the new regulations will protect Finland’s players. Some people may view it as an invasion of their rights, but unselfishly, the government has specified its reasons and has shown complete transparency throughout the process. The current bill will last until 2024 when it is revised by parliament, and depending on how it affects industry variables, it will be changed or remain the same.
New Laws Crackdown on Underage Gambling
One of Europe’s biggest issues related to gambling is underage betting. Over the last year since the beginning of the pandemic, there’s never been an easier time for minors to gamble. Obviously, this is highly concerning, and regulators are desperate to reduce the figures to relieve pressure on their department.
Due to a lack of demonstration, they’ve seen fit to introduce these new policies themselves and have promised to improve the age verification system to prevent underage users from accessing the sites. The concern for underage players has risen recently as Esports gambling has become extremely popular in Finland, spawning a host of new betting sites facilitating the same sector.
If the new rules relating to marketing and payment barriers are violated by companies or by players, they could face prosecution through the national court system. Potential jail time awaits any player who overtly exceeds their spending limits. The very real possibility of one person exploiting another has also been accounted for with an 18-month jail sentence in order. Companies discovered to have broken the rules will be subject to numerous fines depending on the severity of the charges.
