Finns mull online gambling restrictions

The popularity of online gambling in the Nordic region, including a growing love of online bingo games, has got the Finnish government taking a closer look at the issues of underage gambling and problem gambling.

A working group centered around Finland's Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is subsequently proposing that the country's Lotteries Act be strengthened to combat underage gambling and that online games come with identification devices. Evocative gambling advertisements are also targeted for restriction.

On a per capita basis, Finns come in at fourth place in the world for gambling expenditure.  An estimated forty thousand Finns suffer some level of problem gambling.

At this time there is little restriction on Finns engaging in online games with online bingo halls and operators of free online bingo able to offer their services without needing authorization.