Problem Gambling Prevalence
| Metric | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Problem gambling rate | 4.2% of adults | THL 2023 |
| Number of problem gamblers | 151,000 | THL 2023 |
| Previous prevalence (2018) | 2.0–2.8% | THL 2018 |
| Change | Nearly doubled | THL |
| Young men 18–24 with problems | 6.9% | THL 2023 |
| Men with problems | 6.6% | THL 2023 |
| Women with problems | 1.9% | THL 2023 |
| Affected family members | ~733,000 | THL 2023 |
Demographics of Gambling Harm
Young men are the highest-risk group. The 18–24 male demographic shows 6.9% problem gambling prevalence — the highest figure in the Nordics. Overall male prevalence (6.6%) is more than three times the female rate (1.9%). Problem gambling correlates with lower education levels, unemployment, and financial distress.
The Channel Problem
| Channel | Detail |
|---|---|
| Internet as main channel | 93% of problem gamblers |
| Online slots as problem type | 73% |
| Players with gambling debts | 78% |
| Typical debt level | €20,000–50,000 |
| Payday loans for gambling | 28% of indebted |
Source: Peluuri/THL
Peluuri Helpline Data
| Year | Contacts | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ~8,500 | — |
| 2024 | 10,000+ | +18% |
Peluuri, Finland’s national gambling helpline, reported over 10,000 contacts in 2024. The majority related to gambling at offshore operators without player protection tools. The helpline sees calls from both gamblers and affected family members.
Payday Loans and Gambling Debt
Research from Finnish debt collection authorities shows 28% of individuals with gambling-related debt had taken payday loans to fund their gambling. The average gambling debt ranges from €20,000 to €50,000. The connection between payday lending and gambling harm is a distinctive feature of the Finnish market.
The Offshore Protection Gap
The fundamental problem: 93% of problem gamblers use the internet as their primary channel. The majority gamble at offshore operators that provide zero player protection — no identification, no loss limits, no self-exclusion, no AI-driven intervention. Veikkaus offers all of these tools, but controls only 23.4% of the online casino market.
Nordic Comparison
| Country | Problem Gambling Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Finland | 4.2% | THL 2023 |
| Sweden | ~3.5% (350,000 people) | Riksrevisionen 2026 |
| Denmark | ~1.5% | Spillemyndigheden |
| Norway | ~1.8% | Lotteritilsynet |
Finland has the highest problem gambling rate in the Nordics, despite maintaining the strictest monopoly model. This paradox is a key argument for the licensing reform.
Sweden’s Warning
Riksrevisionen (Feb 2026): Swedish gambling harm prevention is “not effective”. 350,000 problem gamblers. 40,000 children living with a problem gambler. SEK 11.5 billion (€1B) in social costs per year. Only one-third of municipalities used available support tools in 2023.
“151,000 problem gamblers and 733,000 affected family members — nearly one in five Finnish adults directly impacted by gambling harm. These are not abstract statistics. They represent a public health crisis that the monopoly failed to prevent.”
— Tommi Korhonen, CEO, Bonusetu.media
Key Figures
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Problem gamblers | 151,000 (4.2%) |
| Affected family members | ~733,000 |
| Young men 18–24 | 6.9% |
| Men overall | 6.6% |
| Women overall | 1.9% |
| Internet as main channel | 93% |
| Peluuri contacts (2024) | 10,000+ |
| Payday loans for gambling | 28% |
| Typical debt level | €20,000–50,000 |
| Sweden problem gamblers | 350,000 |
Sources
- THL (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare), Population Survey on Gambling 2023
- THL, Population Survey on Gambling 2018
- Peluuri.fi, Annual Report 2024
- Finnish debt collection authorities
- Riksrevisionen, RiR 2026:1
- Bonusetu.media
Gambling Market Analyst at Bonusetu.media. Covers Finland’s gambling market reform with a focus on regulatory frameworks, market data and player protection.