Assessment of risks associated with gambling

Assessing the risks and harm caused by gambling is statutory work conducted by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The Ministry started to assess the risks and harm related to the running of gambling games in 2016. The amendments to the Lotteries Act that came into force in 2022 strengthened the statutory nature of the assessment work and the right to obtain information from Veikkaus Oy for assessment purposes.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has appointed a group of experts to carry out the assessment. The working group examines the gambling services of Veikkaus and their development and participates in the official processes used to guide gambling services.

The working group is appointed for two years at a time, and it consists of experts on gambling and gambling-related harm from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, the University of Helsinki, the University of Tampere and the Peluuri's Helpline. The working group is an advisory body in nature.

Influencing the supply of gambling services is a key means to prevent and reduce gambling-related harm. When it comes to the supply of gambling services, it is possible to reduce gambling-related harm and risks by influencing the features of gambling, the gambling environment and the games sales and by introducing different kinds of gambling restrictions and tools for controlling gambling.

The assessment focuses on:

  • the features and characteristics of games
  • gambling restrictions and control methods
  • the availability and accessibility of gambling products and
  • marketing.

In creating harm profiles for gambling products, use is made of technical measurements and expert evaluations, relevant academic research and information from support services on the situation of those seeking help. In addition, the assessment makes use of the information on the experiences of players with gambling problems and other information on gambling-related harm.

The assessment takes account of Veikkaus’s gambling services and the gambling services outside this system and their effects. The information on gambling and players provided by Veikkaus is gaining a more important role in the assessment. 

Further information

Mari Pajula, Senior Specialist 
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Department for Safety, Security and Health / TUTO, Wellbeing and Health Protection Unit / HYT Telephone:0295163040   Email Address: