Finnish lottery and gaming operator Veikkaus has closed its slot machine and gaming arcades in regions where COVID-19 is either in the acceleration phase or the spreading stage following new guidelines issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.
The guidelines, issued on November 26, stated: “The use of different measures, targeted regionally and locally, yet comprehensively and in such a way that the measures support each other, provide the regions with the best prerequisites for fighting the spreading of the epidemic as a whole.”
Veikkaus’ slot machines and gaming arcades were due to close in the at-risk regions on Saturday at the latest, with the closure process being initiated on Thursday.
The gaming arcades and slot machines are closed in the following regions:
- South Ostrobothnia
- Helsinki and Uusimaa
- Kanta-Häme
- Kymenlaakso
- Länsi-Pohja
- Pirkanmaa
- North Karelia
- Northern Ostrobothnia
- Päijät-Häme
- Satakunta
- Vaasa
- Southwest Finland
Jari Heino, SVP of Channels and Sales at Veikkaus, said on the closure announcement: “We have followed the development of the coronavirus situation and acted according to the official guidelines. We made the decision on the closure today quickly after the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health published their guidelines.”
The guidelines cover a fixed period, lasting until mid-December, and Veikkaus stated it is prepared to act quickly if there are any changes in the regional coronavirus situation.
Heino added: “No-one knows yet what the situation will look like in three weeks. We are sure that all efforts are made in society to suppress the second wave of this disease.
“We will be listening to the specialists, evaluating the situation based on their knowledge; and we will make our decisions accordingly.”