Finland’s Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo has announced that the monthly and daily maximum loss limits for Veikkaus Oy’s fast-paced online games will become permanent after being only temporary measures over the past year.
Ohisalo issued the decree on June 18 which made the maximum daily loss limit for the Finnish lottery operator’s fast-paced online games (casino and slots) remain at €500, while the maximum monthly loss limit will stay at €2,000.
The maximum loss limits were put in place to help prevent the harms of gambling.
The minister temporarily reduced the maximum daily loss limit for Veikkaus’ online fast-paced games from €1,000 to €500 in the spring of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The provision was then extended until June 30 and is now being made permanent.
Alongside the maximum loss limit, all players are still required to set their own daily and monthly loss limits, which can’t be higher than the maximum loss limits.
Ohisalo commented: “The reduced maximum loss limit has been in use for a year. Loss limits are a good way to prevent gambling harm. In addition to gambling problems, lowering the loss limit will combat over-indebtedness and livelihood problems, and I am pleased that the daily loss limit will be permanently reduced from €1,000 to €500.”
Back in March, Veikkaus announced it was taking significant measures to promote responsible gaming following the introduction of compulsory authentication to slot machines in stores, restaurants, kiosks, and service stations in January.
The operator noted that it intends to adopt compulsory authentication to its gaming arcades later this year, as it gives its players a chance to self-impose a complete ban on their gaming.
By 2023, Vekkaus aims to make all of its games subject to compulsory authentication, allowing customers to set a complete ban on their gaming, as well as provide access to other tools for responsible gaming.