Tag: Scandinavia

The Danish Government has announced that casinos and gaming halls across the country will remain closed until April 5 at the earliest, in line with extended novel coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions.

Venues temporarily shut in December last year after the government extended national Covid-19 measures until February 28, with the aim of opening early in 2021.

However, as Covid-19 case rates remained higher, venues have been kept closed in an effort to prevent further spread while Denmark commenced its vaccination programme.

In its latest update, the Danish Health and Medicines Authority announced that despite some relaxation of measures, casinos, gaming halls and restaurants will remain shut until at least 5 April.

A selection of other venues such as some non-essential shops and outdoor visitor attractions will be able to reopen in some regions, while certain year groups will also be allowed back into schools in select areas. All other measures, including travel restrictions, will remain in place until early April.

The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (KKV) has published its final report into the country’s state gambling monopoly, Veikkaus.

The authority has concluded that Veikkaus’ revenue should go to the Finnish treasury rather than specific ministries and that Veikkaus should be placed under the power of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

More than half of Veikkaus’ revenue currently goes to the Ministry of Education and Culture to fund sports, science and arts, while 43% goes to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The remaining 4% goes to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry as funding for horse racing.

The KKV said this meant that initiatives to reduce gambling harm could lead to underfunding in the other areas. It suggested that all revenue should go to the treasury instead to ensure predictability and stability in funding.

Research professor Mika Maliranta said: “If active efforts are made to reduce gambling disadvantages, Veikkaus beneficiaries will not be able to anticipate their funding, as reducing gambling disadvantages is likely to have an impact on the amount of Veikkaus revenues distributed to beneficiaries.

“On the other hand, if the gambling monopoly does not actively seek to reduce harm, the monopoly system does not meet the purpose or justification of the law. This contradiction has hampered the social debate about Veikkaus’ responsibility.”

The report also recommends that Veikkaus’ governance should come under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (STM) instead of the Prime Minister’s Office.

It said: “STM is already responsible for monitoring, researching, evaluating and developing prevention and treatment of gambling disorders. Thus, it would be best placed to steer the company in a direction where gambling causes less harm to individuals and society.”

The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (KKV) has published its final report into the country’s state gambling monopoly, Veikkaus.

The authority has concluded that Veikkaus’ revenue should go to the Finnish treasury rather than specific ministries and that Veikkaus should be placed under the power of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

More than half of Veikkaus’ revenue currently goes to the Ministry of Education and Culture to fund sports, science and arts, while 43% goes to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The remaining 4% goes to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry as funding for horse racing.

The KKV said this meant that initiatives to reduce gambling harm could lead to underfunding in the other areas. It suggested that all revenue should go to the treasury instead to ensure predictability and stability in funding.

Research professor Mika Maliranta said: “If active efforts are made to reduce gambling disadvantages, Veikkaus beneficiaries will not be able to anticipate their funding, as reducing gambling disadvantages is likely to have an impact on the amount of Veikkaus revenues distributed to beneficiaries.

“On the other hand, if the gambling monopoly does not actively seek to reduce harm, the monopoly system does not meet the purpose or justification of the law. This contradiction has hampered the social debate about Veikkaus’ responsibility.”

The report also recommends that Veikkaus’ governance should come under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (STM) instead of the Prime Minister’s Office.

It said: “STM is already responsible for monitoring, researching, evaluating and developing prevention and treatment of gambling disorders. Thus, it would be best placed to steer the company in a direction where gambling causes less harm to individuals and society.”

According to the latest figures from Spillemyndigheden, Danish gambling revenue fell 9.3% to DKK5.96bn ($971.8m) in 2020.

Online casinos, the only vertical unaffected by lockdown measures or sporting cancellations, posted year-on-year revenue growth. However, the 5.0% year-on-year rise in revenue to DKK2.45bn was the lowest increase for online casinos since the Danish igaming market opened for business in 2012.

In terms of products, online slots contributed DKK1.82bn or 74.4% of the vertical’s total. Roulette followed in a distant second on DKK231.9m (9.5%), with blackjack in third on DKK166.6m (6.8%).

All other verticals reported year-on-year declines.

International Game Technology PLC (IGT) has announced that a subsidiary has successfully launched its IGT PlayRGS (remote game server) solution and IGT PlayCasino content with Veikkaus Oy (Veikkaus), Finland’s state lottery operator and World Lottery Association member.

“IGT PlayDigital’s solution enables Veikkaus to provide its players with best-in-class online content, including IGT’s top-performing PlayCasino games. This solution ensures that Veikkaus can offer the games players want while responsibly growing our digital programme to serve our players with the best customer experience and safest online casino available,” Jan Hagelberg, Veikkaus Vice President for Casino Games, said.

“IGT PlayDigital’s vast portfolio of proven solutions, combined with our extensive experience in the government-regulated digital gaming market, will enable Veikkaus to significantly enhance player engagement. By adding our powerful PlayRGS solution and player-tested PlayCasino digital content to its offering, Veikkaus is re-affirming its status as one of the most technologically advanced operators in the world,” Enrico Drago, IGT Senior Vice President, PlayDigital, said.

In addition to introducing its PlayRGS solution and PlayCasino content, IGT provides Veikkaus with its PlayBingo (digital bingo) solution, core lottery central system, sports betting and land-based slot machines.