Gambling in
Finland 2007:
Increasing concerns over gambling problems - problems remain at
their former level - the highest expenditure accumulates within a
small group
Research communiqué by Tuukka Tammi, Senior Researcher,
PhD, STAKES, Alcohol and Drug Research Group, Finland. Sept
11/2007
Expenditure accumulates within a small
group
Increasing concerns over gambling
problems
Prevalence of gambling problems remains
unchanged, but the most extensive estimate of those experiencing
problems amounts to over 200,000
More diverse information required on the adverse
effects of gambling
Gambling in Finland and the related adverse effects on the
population were surveyed for the second time in the spring of 2007.
The previous survey was carried out in 2003. The purpose of
repeated surveys is to construct an overview of gambling among
Finns, its frequency and expenditure levels, and, in particular, to
assess the prevalence of gambling problems amongst the population.
Survey findings are recorded in the report "Gambling in Finland
2007" (Ministry of Social Affairs and Health/Taloustutkimus
2007).
Survey data was collected via telephone interviews in the spring
of 2007 from a target group consisting of Finns over 15 years of
age (excluding Åland), comprising a total of 5,008 people, selected
through random sampling from the Population Information System. The
material was weighted to correspond to the population nationwide in
terms of age, gender and place of residence. The survey was carried
out by Taloustutkimus Oy, commissioned by the Ministry of Social
Affairs and Health. STAKES participated in conducting the
survey.
In comparison with the year 2003, gambling in general remains
largely unchanged. Gambling is quite popular in Finland, but only a
small proportion of people engage in extensive gambling. Men gamble
remarkably more often and their expenditure is higher than that of
women. The survey indicates that 87% of Finns (circa 3.7 million of
over 15-year-olds) have participated in gambling at some time in
their life, while 73% gambled in the last year. Of the population,
41% gamble at least once a week, and approximately every tenth
person participates in gambling activities several times a
week.
Lotto and Joker national lottery draws remain by far the most
popular forms of gambling, followed by slot machines and various
scratch cards. Participation in online poker and other forms of
online gambling still remains relatively low, but is increasing
rapidly. In the past year, approximately 125,000 people played
online poker, which is 45,000 players more than indicated by the
estimate commissioned by RAY (Finland's Slot Machine Association)
in 2006.
Expenditure accumulates
within a small group
Both expenditure on gambling and its share of the gamblers'
income have increased. Those gambling a minimum of twice a month
spend an average of EUR 16.40 per week on gambling (EUR 13.20 in
2003). In all, this group spends approximately EUR 137 million a
month on gambling (EUR 1.644 billion a year), which corresponds to
5.2% of their available income. In 2003, the corresponding share
was 4.1%. Men account for approximately four fifths of total
expenditure on gambling.
The distribution of overall expenditure is extremely skew: the
expenditure of the great majority of gamblers is extremely low,
whereas that of a small minority is very high. On the basis of the
population survey, it can be estimated that 5% of gamblers are
responsible for approximately one half of total expenditure on
gambling.
Increasing concerns
over gambling problems
In comparison with the survey conducted four years ago, the most
significant change has occurred in the general population's
attitude to gambling: almost two thirds of the respondents see
problem gambling as a severe problem in Finland, while in 2003,
only 50 per cent of respondents considered the problem as serious.
In the population's view, gambling problems have also
increased.
Over two thirds of the respondents were of the opinion that the
Finnish system, with three monopolies (Fintoto, Veikkaus, RAY)
offering gambling operations, is a sound method of limiting the
adverse effects of gambling. However, one fifth could not comment
on this question at all, which probably also indicates that the
adverse effects of gambling and the role of the monopoly system in
preventing them is still a relatively new topic in public
debate.
Prevalence of gambling
problems remains unchanged, but the most extensive estimate of
those experiencing problems amounts to over 200,000
Approximately 1% of respondents estimated that they gambled to
an extent which constituted a problem. In proportion to the entire
population, this would be around 38,000 Finns. Approximately 3 per
cent (ca. 124,000 Finns) expressed the view that they had, sometime
previously - but no longer - participated in gambling to a
problematic extent. The respondents' own assessments come close to
the assessments achieved in the survey by using the SOGS-R
questionnaire devised for the more extensive analysis of gambling
problems. SOGS-R is an international, commonly used test for the
assessment of gambling problems in populations, comprising a
20-item questionnaire. On the basis of the points scored, the
respondents are classified either as having no gambling problems or
in grades describing various degrees of gambling problem.
The survey indicates that the number of problem gamblers has
remained unchanged: the estimate in accordance with the 2003 survey
criteria is 1.5% of the population, i.e. 65,000 Finns - a figure
which has been cited in public when referring to the number of
problem gamblers.
Other key figures of gambling problems in the 2007 survey do not
allow comparison with the 2003 survey. When gambling problems are
specified most loosely (gambling problems experienced sometime in
one's life, the limit being the lower score i.e. 3-4 risk points),
the result is that over 5.2% of the population have experienced
gambling problems (222,000 people), while the most stringent
specification (problems within the past year, the limit being the
highest score i.e. five or more risk points) results in an
estimated 1% of over 15-year-olds of the entire population being
addicted to gambling (42,000 people).
The share of gambling expenditure of respondents classified in
the higher problem category is relatively high: the share of
overall gambling expenditure of those classified as "probable
pathological gamblers" (5 risk points or more), i.e. 1% of the
population, is approximately one tenth, while those with more
moderate problems in controlling their gambling (3 or more risk
points, circa 3% of the population) account for about one third of
overall expenditure.
More diverse information required on the adverse effects
of gambling
The results of the population survey on the prevalence of
gambling problems should be considered indicative at best. The
estimated share of the population with gambling problems,
calculated using the SOGS-R test, is relatively high, but the
results should be examined critically in future with the help of
other surveys and data sources.
At present, information is scarce on the adverse effects of
gambling. One "firm" and tangible indicator of such adverse effects
lies in the volume of heavy debt burdens due to gambling, but so
far, gambling debts are - for one reason or another - barely
evident in debt statistics or other data. Another indicator of
problems is the number of people seeking assistance from official
systems. The current data indicates that relatively few people are
seeking assistance at present.
The gambling problem constitutes an emerging social topic which
has begun to draw attention in the fields of politics,
administration, research, care and prevention, and among citizens.
More information is required to underpin this debate, in order to
facilitate more reliable assessments than at present of whether the
adverse effects of gambling are excessive in comparison with the
individual and social good it generates.
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