Scandinavia has become one of the largest markets for gambling in the last few years, and especially in the online gambling arena. At the same time, the Scandinavians are the happiest people on earth. How are these factors related, if at all, and what other factors have led to the growing interest in gambling in the Nordic countries?
Gambling has been largely popular in the Nordic countries in recent years, and especially online. In Denmark, revenue increased 7.9% percent across the gambling market in the third quarter of 2021. With an increase of 17.3% percent in online gambling alone according to the Danish Gaming Authority, the Danish Gaming Authority. Sweden and Denmark together lead the number of online players in Europe with 59% and 54% of the total players choosing online platforms, respectively.
Read more about Danish online casinos at spiludenomrofus.net.
Happiness allows for healthier gambling
Despite the issue of problem gambling being prominent in many other countries, the increase in gambling does not seem to have affected the happiness and well-being of Scandinavians much. All the Nordic countries are in the top positions World Happiness Report for the past few years.
After some deliberation, the connection does not seem strange. The reason for Nordic happiness is linked to permanent jobs, high average incomes and a healthy balance between work and private life. These factors allow citizens to gamble because it is fun and relaxing rather than as a form of financial addiction.
However, problem gambling is still present in the Scandinavian countries. However, there are a wealth of help and self-help options available that can be accessed on online casino websites for active self-suspension for a period of time.
Generous rules
Scandinavian rules of the game are generous almost across the board. Denmark and Sweden have both ended the state monopoly on gambling, whereas Norway and Iceland both have stricter laws but still allow some forms of gambling, including lotteries, slot machines and sports betting. In Finland, where gambling is most popular, the entire gambling market is monopolized by the state.
In addition, the use of national celebrities as marketing for various online casinos has helped bring authority to the market. Moreover, it has brought revenue from the gaming market to the state, which is probably another reason for its generous rules.
Finland’s player forms for 2022
Finland is by far the most gambling-prone country despite its wholly state-owned gambling market for both online and land-based casinos. According to a study by the Nordic Welfare Center, 8 out of 10 Finns have tried gambling within the last 12 months. However, the country’s gaming market is expected to change in 2022 with revised lottery law.
In December 2021, the Lottery Act was taken up in the Finnish Parliament (Suomen eduskunta) and passed after a first reading. The amended parts include the cessation of advertisements for high-risk gambling games such as slots, as well as a blocking of payments to offshore gaming operators. The amended law has yet to pass the second reading before it can be signed as a law.
Source: The Nordic Page