Finnish gaming and lottery monopoly Veikkaus has notified stakeholders that the implementation of mandatory identification across its coupon games from agent sales has been delayed by six months.
Citing global supply chain issues affecting the delivery of components, the state-owned organisation outlined that its new sales terminals will not be completed in time to introduce mandatory identification before the initial January 1, 2023 deadline.
In June, Veikkaus called upon Finnish lawmakers to push back on the mandatory ID rules due to the global supply chain issues stemming from both the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
This week, the government responded by proposing to parliament a six-month pushback on the deadline, giving Veikkaus until July 1, 2023 to implement the new sales terminals, despite the gambling group calling for an additional 12 months.
Parliament is expected to give a final decision on the change in schedules in November, however, Veikkuas detailed that it aims to introduce mandatory identification as soon as possible.
A statement from the groupread: “Veikkaus’ aim is to introduce mandatory identification on a faster schedule, i.e. as soon as the new sales terminals are ready for use.”
The requirement of the upgraded sales terminals comes from the introduction of the Lotteries Act in Finland, which sought to help the country maintain its gambling monopoly via Veikkaus and place responsible gambling at the heart of operations.
However, Veikkaus’ leadership has questioned the viability of the monopoly framework after registering year-over-year revenue declines, leading some industry onlookers to doubt the efficacy of the Lotteries Act.
Despite delays to mandatory identification in agent sales, Veikkaus noted that its implementation across coupon games in its own arcades and casinos will, unaffectedly, occur in November.
