Gambling problems in Finland and United States – Young men at high risk

Online casinos are more popular than ever before. As the popularity of gambling increases, so do the problems related to it. According to a study conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson University, approximately 10% of young men in the United States suffer from gambling problems compared to a rate of 3% in the overall population. The study was conducted using the Problem Gambling Severity Index survey.

The highest-risk group for problem gambling is men aged 18-30. The study identifies fast-paced slot games and sports betting as the most common forms that lead to problem gambling. Similar trends have also been identified in other regions including Finland.

“Gambling is generally marketed as entertainment, and for most gamblers, it’s just that,” said Dan Cassino, a professor of government and politics at Fairleigh Dickinson and the executive director of the survey, which was released Thursday. “But there’s always some chance of gambling turning into problem behaviors, and online gambling is proving to be much more dangerous than other kinds.”

Read below what are differences and similarities in problem gambling trends between Finland and the United States.

The Situation in Finland

Gambling has been popular throughout the history in Finland. Gambling in Finland has especially grown its popularity in recent years as online casinos have made games accessible to everyone.

Statistics in Finland also show that problem gambling is particularly common among young men and the figures are quite similar to United States in many ways.

According to studies by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), around 3% of the Finnish population suffers from gambling problems, but problem gambling is significantly more prevalent among young adults, especially men aged 18-30.

Research findings indicate that the situation is quite similar in both Finland and the United States. One key factor contributing to the increase in problem gambling is the rise of digital games, such as online poker and slot machines.

Online casinos allow players to gamble easily from home. Young men who have grown up in a digital environment are naturally quick to take advantage of these. However, unlike in the United States, sports betting is not considered as problematic in terms of gambling types in Finland. Slot machines are believed to cause the most harm instead.

Social media also adds to the temptation to gamble, as young men follow figures like Dan Bilzerian, who promote a glamorous lifestyle associated with gambling.

Why Are Young Men Vulnerable to Problem Gambling?

The study conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson University does not provide a single, definitive reason why young men are particularly vulnerable to problem gambling. There are likely multiple contributing factors, including financial pressure, advertising, and social media.

Research shows that men in general tend to take larger and more frequent risks than women. For this reason, men may be more inclined to attempt to resolve financial issues through gambling, even though it is well-known that this is rarely a wise solution.

Another significant factor is advertising. Online Casino companies and advertisers are aware of men’s tendency toward gambling, and they capitalize on this in their marketing strategies. Gambling is often advertised as a form of entertainment that appeals especially to men, with the use of well-known athletes to promote these games.

Social media also has a considerable influence on young men. Media platforms often showcase professional poker players, for instance, who can easily create a misleading impression of the glamorous lifestyle associated with gambling.

Differences in Legislation Between the United States and Finland

In Finland, the gambling market is controlled by the state-owned monopoly operated by Veikkaus, which grants the government centralized control over gambling regulation.

This structure has enabled Finland to implement responsible gambling standards and comprehensive tools, such as loss limits and self-exclusions, all of which help prevent the development of gambling problems.

In the United States, however, gambling regulation is decentralized and managed by individual states, resulting in wide variations in the level of protection and responsible gambling standards from one state to another.

Some states enforce strict gambling limits and responsible gaming guidelines, while others take a more lenient approach to regulation.

“The gambling industry has adopted responsible gambling standards, which include allowing people to set limits on their deposits, withdrawals and overall gambling activity; prominently placing phone numbers and web addresses for gambling help lines on their products, and adopting some voluntary limits on advertising.”

The council’s report found that Connecticut, New Jersey, and Virginia are most aligned with the standards.”

However, the situation in Finland is going to change significantly in the coming years, as the country plans to move away from Veikkaus’ monopoly system. This will be replaced by an open licensing system that will also allow international operators to enter the Finnish market.

In terms of responsible gambling, the standards will remain similar to the current ones, as casinos holding Finnish licenses will still be required to follow the same responsible gambling principles.

Preventing Problem Gambling

As mentioned, responsible gambling models in the United States vary significantly between states. Some areas offer a wide range of responsible gambling tools, such as time limits on gambling sessions, options to set deposit and loss limits, and links to gambling help organizations.

In Finland responsible gambling tools are more comprehensive and consistent, thanks to the state-owned monopoly operated by Veikkaus.

Finland also enforces what is known as mandatory identification; for example, slot machines in stores cannot be played without identification verification. This allows Finland to monitor the amount that an individual can spend on gambling.

Despite these preventive tools, there is no single method to address young men’s susceptibility to problem gambling. Problem gambling is always a result of multiple contributing factors and it is not only casino operators who can influence this issue. Social media, for example, also has a significant impact on young men.

HT