A new national analysis reveals that Finland’s strengthened self‑exclusion tools have led to a remarkable 25% reduction in problem gambling among adults. The findings, released today by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), highlight the tangible impact of self‑regulation policies in the country’s evolving gambling landscape.
Dramatic Decline in Problem Gambling
Compared with data from 2021, the proportion of adults classified as moderate‑risk or problem gamblers has dropped from approximately 5% to just under 4% in 2023, an estimated 25% relative decrease. THL attributes this shift to several factors:
- Enhanced self‑exclusion systems across both online and land‑based venues
- Mandatory player authentication enabling better enforcement
- Increased public awareness encouraging at‑risk individuals to self‑exclude
Technology Meets Responsibility
Veikkaus, Finland’s state gambling operator, now supports a national self‑exclusion register:
- Around 27,500 users have opted out of online casinos; 5,600 have self‑excluded from slot‑machine play.
- Compulsory authentication for every player supports automatic monitoring and enforcement, making it harder to bypass restrictions .
By the end of 2023, Veikkaus achieved full authentication of all its gambling systems, including online and in‑person play, allowing robust implementation of user‑controlled bans.
Supportive Policies Amplify Impact
The self‑exclusion tools are part of a broader framework designed to mitigate gambling-related harm:
- Limits on frequency and amount are available to all players
- Real‑time monitoring flags early at‑risk gambling patterns
- Player education encourages the use of responsible‑gaming features
These tools complement THL‑led campaigns that encourage healthy attitudes toward gambling and provide a clear exit route for individuals choosing to step back.
Public and Professional Perspectives
While overall figures are encouraging, experts caution against complacency:
A spokesperson from THL noted, “This drop is promising, but persistent efforts are needed, especially targeting younger demographics,” echoing Finland’s commitment to the national self‑exclusion system proposed in upcoming regulatory reforms.
On Reddit, a recovering gambler shared their firsthand experience:
“I have been self‑excluded from all online gambling for the last 2 weeks and not being able to go on the sites has made a huge difference… Your life will get so much better!”
ALSO READ: More Finnish Women Are Gambling Online: Female Participation Up 35% Since 2022
What Lies Ahead
The momentum behind self‑exclusion is building into broader national reform. Finland is moving from a strict state monopoly to a licensing model set for rollout between 2026–2027, including:
- A centralised self‑exclusion register across all operators
- Stricter marketing restrictions and mandatory operator-wide limits.
The THL report positions self‑exclusion as a cornerstone tool—backed by strong policy and public support, as Finland prepares to reshape its gambling regulation framework.