Finland’s decision to end its gambling monopoly could inadvertently escalate match-fixing incidents, warns the Finnish National Sports Council. With the government planning to introduce competitive regulated online gambling by 2027 under the new Finnish Gambling Act, there are growing concerns about the weakening of current monitoring mechanisms crucial for maintaining sports integrity.
Alarmingly, Finland has already witnessed a surge in suspicious betting activities in recent years. The Finnish Centre for Integrity in Sports (FINCS) reports an increase in manipulation alerts, which jumped from fewer than 20 cases in 2022 to over 60 in 2023, reaching 71 by 2024. This trend highlights an urgent need for robust systems to counter potential threats to sports ethics.
One of the most notable investigations in recent times involved the Finnish professional floorball competitions. Over a four-year period, the Finnish Centre for Integrity in Sports (SUEK), aided by the state-run gambling operator Veikkaus, meticulously examined dubious betting activities within the F-League and Inssi-Divari. This extensive probe scrutinized betting data from 114 players and club officials, revealing that they collectively placed over a thousand bets on domestic matches. The findings were startling: ten individuals, including players, managers, and sporting directors, were identified as responsible for 80 percent of these violations. Disturbingly, some had even placed bets against their own teams.
This situation is not confined to floorball alone. Finland’s staple sports—football and ice hockey—alongside horse racing, are also perceived to be at risk. Currently, Finland’s sports integrity legislation is heavily skewed towards anti-doping measures. The new report strongly advocates for legislative expansions to effectively tackle betting-related manipulations before Veikkaus’s monopoly officially ends.
To combat these challenges, the report proposes integrating the concept of “sports fraud” into the legal framework. Moreover, it calls for a strategic long-term funding approach to balance resources that have historically focused on anti-doping. It further suggests formalizing FINCS’ position as a regulatory authority, enhancing cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Culture, and crafting a comprehensive national action plan that involves both government and regulatory bodies.
Drawing lessons from other European nations, the report references Sweden’s shift from Svenska Spel’s monopoly to a multi-license system in 2019. To mitigate risks, Swedish authorities implemented restrictions such as prohibiting betting on youth sports. Similarly, Germany has enacted measures banning bets on amateur sports to maintain integrity.
While these steps provide a potential blueprint, not everyone agrees with the report’s findings. Some industry experts argue that a regulated market could actually enhance transparency and enforcement capabilities. They point out that a well-regulated environment, equipped with comprehensive monitoring tools and strict compliance requirements, might deter illicit activities more effectively than a monopoly setup. This perspective suggests that with the proper checks and balances, the introduction of competition could strengthen rather than weaken the system.
Nevertheless, the Finnish National Sports Council remains cautious. The council emphasizes that without proactive adjustments to the monitoring framework and legislative enhancements, the risk of match-fixing might overshadow the benefits of a liberalized market. The Finnish gambling sector stands at a crossroads, where decisions made today will shape the integrity of its sports and the health of its gambling industry for years to come.
As the debate continues, Finland has a unique opportunity to design a regulatory framework that not only opens up the market but also sets a benchmark for sports integrity and consumer protection. Achieving this balance will require collaboration between all stakeholders—regulators, operators, sports organizations, and the government—to safeguard the future of Finnish sports.
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