Finnish agencies call for tighter rules as gambling market opens

Finland’s Institute for Health and Welfare and Competition and Consumer Authority are calling for tighter regulation as online casinos and betting open to competition next summer, Yle reports.

The agencies warn that gambling-related harm will increase if the market moves to a licensing system without additional rules. They are particularly concerned about young adults and propose raising the gambling age to 20 and banning gambling advertising on social media.

A licensing system is likely to bring dozens of gambling companies into the market, replacing the current monopoly held by Veikkaus.