The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has weighed in on Finland’s proposed online gambling legislation, stating that while the goal of the legislation is noble, it requires “some fine-tuning” in order to be successful.
The Finnish government recently unveiled plans to overhaul the country’s online gambling market, with the aim of establishing a more regulated and competitive environment for operators. The proposed legislation includes measures such as stricter age verification checks, limits on advertising, and a centralised self-exclusion system for problem gamblers.
In a statement, Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of the EGBA, noted that while the proposed legislation is a step in the right direction, there are some key areas that need to be addressed in order to ensure its effectiveness.
Haijer highlighted concerns about the proposed restrictions on advertising, stating that they could potentially limit the ability of licensed operators to compete with unlicensed operators in the market. He also raised issues with the proposed centralised self-exclusion system, arguing that it may not be as effective as individual operators implementing their own responsible gambling measures.
Overall, Haijer stressed the importance of striking a balance between protecting consumers and ensuring a fair and competitive market for operators. He called on the Finnish government to consult with industry stakeholders and make adjustments to the proposed legislation in order to achieve this balance.
The EGBA’s comments come at a crucial time for the Finnish online gambling market, which has been the subject of much debate and controversy in recent years. The proposed legislation is seen as a key opportunity to address some of the issues facing the market and create a more sustainable and responsible gaming environment.
It remains to be seen how the Finnish government will respond to the EGBA’s feedback and whether any changes will be made to the proposed legislation. In the meantime, industry stakeholders will be closely watching developments in Finland as the country works towards implementing its new online gambling regulations.
