Press Releases
Finland: Prevalence of at-risk gambling has decreased – gambling problems still as common as before
According to a study conducted by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), the prevalence of “at-risk gambling” which causes individual mild harms has decreased in Finland. The 2019 study indicated that 11 per cent of the Finnish population had engaged in at-risk level gambling in the past 12 months. In the previous study, conducted in 2015, the proportion of at-risk gamblers was 15 per cent. The prevalence of at-risk gambling has decreased in both men and women.
At-risk gambling refers to gambling which causes some individual harms and often precedes the development of problem gambling. According to the 2019 study, three per cent of the Finnish population, meaning approximately 112,000 people, had experienced gambling problems. The proportion of such individuals has remained the same since 2007.
According to the study, 1.4 per cent of Finns – around 52,000 people – suffered in 2019 from probable pathological gambling, which is the most severe form of problematic gambling.
In contrast, the study indicates that gambling without indentified problems has increased. The number of gamblers remained the same between 2015 and 2019, but changes took place in the frequency of gambling: the proportion of Finns who gambled less often than once a month increased, whereas the proportion of those gambling more often than this decreased.
The past-year prevalence of gambling at least one game type among the respondents was 78.4 per cent.
Online gambling has become more common
In 2019, one third of the respondents (36.3 %) had been gambling online. The proportion of online gamblers increased by 12.7 percentage points from 2015.
At the same time, the proportion of those who gambled games offered by foreign operators increased from 3.3 to 5.4 per cent. Almost all gamblers (98.1 %) who had gambled games offered by an operator other than Veikkaus Oy had also gambled Veikkaus Oy’s games.
In 2019, 2.5 per cent of the gamblers accounted for one half of the total gambling expenditure. This means that of the 2,917,000 people living in mainland Finland who participated in gambling in 2019, 72,000 people spent one half of the total expenditure of that year. Veikkaus Oy’s share of the online gambling expenditure was 83.6 per cent, while the other game operators accounted for 16.4 per cent.
“Only a relatively few people gamble games offered by operators other than Veikkaus, when compared to the number of those gambling Veikkaus games. Then again, there is big money involved in foreign online games. Therefore, it is now important to monitor how the closing of the Finnish slot machines due to the coronavirus epidemic affects online gambling”, says THL Senior Researcher Anne Salonen.
One in five Finns has someone with problematic gambling in their immediate social circle
Just over one fifth (21.1 %) of the respondents reported that at least one person in their immediate social circle had demonstrated problematic gambling. This means that around 790,000 persons are affected by someone close to them having a gambling problem, and this proportion has increased.
According to Salonen, the result may also indicate that Finns have become more aware of gambling problems, and the issue is now discussed more openly and boldly than before.
Since 2007, THL has been monitoring gambling, the prevalence of gambling problems, and the attitudes and opinions related to gambling by carrying out a population survey every four years among Finnish people aged from 15 to 74. In 2019, the study was participated in by 3994 Finns. Statistics Finland conducted the interviews over the telephone. The study was carried out by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, and commissioned and financed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (section 52 of the Lotteries Act).
THL publishes the Finnish Gambling 2019 results in stages; the first step now is to publish the main results concerning gambling and gambling problems. The results concerning the attitudes and opinions related to gambling will be published later this year.
Source: thl.fi
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B2B iGaming solutions
Soft2Bet twice recognised by EGR Europe Awards 2026
iGaming powerhouse Soft2Bet has been honored with two prestigious accolades at the EGR Europe Awards 2026, taking home the European Casino Platform Supplier and European Acquisition and Retention Partner awards.
These awards highlight the company’s innovation, operational excellence, and measurable impact throughout 2025.
The European Casino Platform Supplier award reflects Soft2Bet’s philosophy of building its core stack in-house. The platform is fully modular, supporting seamless integration across game providers, payment services, KYC, and AML systems, while enabling partners to scale and localize operations across multiple jurisdictions. Judges also praised the MEGA Engine, Soft2Bet’s flagship technology, for solving operator challenges, accelerating licensing, and facilitating sustainable growth.
Andrew Cochrane, CCO of Soft2Bet, stated: “These awards are a testament to the relentless innovation and execution of our teams. Our platform is designed to launch brands efficiently and scale them sustainably in regulated markets, combining design-led delivery with measurable performance.”
The European Acquisition and Retention Partner award celebrates Soft2Bet’s ability to convert engagement into tangible results. Anchored by the MEGA (Motivational Engineering Gaming Application) product, the platform merges iGaming mechanics with casual and mobile gaming patterns, creating structured sessions via missions, challenges, and quests to drive repeat play and emotional engagement. EGR judges noted that “MEGA by Soft2Bet sets a benchmark for acquisition and retention in Europe, combining entertainment-first engagement with measurable results.”
These latest accolades crown a period of strong growth and industry leadership for Soft2Bet, following multiple awards throughout 2024 and 2025 for data-driven innovation, turnkey platform solutions, and B2B excellence.
Soft2Bet continues to set the standard for iGaming technology, platform scalability, and player retention strategies in Europe and beyond.
The post Soft2Bet twice recognised by EGR Europe Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Cheltenham Festival
Richard Johnson and Hayley Moore to join Press Box PR’s Cheltenham Festival preview event in Gibraltar
Two-time Gold Cup-winning jockey Richard Johnson and Sky Sports Racing presenter Hayley Moore will headline a Cheltenham Festival Preview evening hosted by Press Box PR in Gibraltar next month.
Taking place on Thursday, March 5, at Ivy Sports Bar & American Grill in Ocean Village, the event will bring together professionals from across the gambling and racing industries for an exclusive preview of the Cheltenham Festival 2026, which begins on March 10.
Johnson, widely regarded as one of the most accomplished jump jockeys of his era, will share expert insight into the key races, leading contenders, and the demands of competing on racing’s biggest stage. He will be joined by Moore, who will offer analysis of the major storylines, form trends, and narratives shaping this year’s Festival.
The evening will be hosted by racing presenter and writer Kitty Waddell, who will moderate the discussion and lead a live audience Q&A with the panel.
Guests attending the event can expect:
• Detailed previews and tips for the Festival’s headline races
• Behind-the-scenes insights from Johnson’s career at the top level of jump racing
• Expert commentary from Moore on form, trends, and key contenders
• A live Q&A session with the panel
• Networking opportunities alongside complimentary food and drinks
Attendees will also have the chance to win prizes during the evening.
With offices in London and Manchester, Press Box PR — winner at the European iGaming Awards 2026 — is a PR agency specialising in securing media coverage across iGaming, sport, consumer, finance, hospitality, and catering sectors. The agency also supports brands in achieving visibility within AI citations and LLM-driven recommendations.
Jack Mansell, Managing Director of Sport at Press Box PR, said:
“The Cheltenham Festival is the highlight of the jump racing calendar and a huge moment for many of the brands we work with across betting and gaming. We wanted to create an event that gives industry colleagues genuine insight from people who have competed at – and covered – the very highest level of the sport.
“Richard and Hayley bring an incredible depth of knowledge and experience, and we’re looking forward to welcoming clients, partners and friends of the industry for what should be an entertaining and informative evening in Gibraltar.”
The Cheltenham Festival Preview will run from 7pm to 10pm on Thursday, March 5, at Ivy Sports Bar & American Grill, Ocean Village, Gibraltar.
Industry professionals wishing to attend are invited to RSVP to [email protected] by Monday, March 2. Guests are asked to confirm numbers and share any dietary requirements when responding. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
The post Richard Johnson and Hayley Moore to join Press Box PR’s Cheltenham Festival preview event in Gibraltar appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Audio Description
Brøndby IF Launches Permanent Audio Description Service for Fans Inside and Outside the Stadium
Last night’s clash between Brøndby IF and Sønderjyske in the 3F Superliga became the first match delivered through the club’s new permanent audio description service, designed for fans both in the stadium and at home. Developed in close partnership with the Danish Association of the Blind and main partner Betano, the initiative enables supporters with visual impairments to follow matches more fully from the stands or their living rooms.
Brøndby IF is now the first club in Denmark and across the Nordic region to introduce a permanent audio description service for every home fixture. Available via radio.brondby.com, the service provides real-time spoken narration of on-pitch action, player movement, atmosphere, and key visual moments. A specially trained commentator delivers detailed descriptions to help visually impaired fans experience matches more completely.
Thomas Skov, Marketing Director and Head of Fan Experience at Brøndby IF, said:
“Brøndby IF is a unique community that must be accessible to everyone. Therefore, we must open as many doors as possible into that community. With permanent audio description both at the stadium and for those listening from home, we are taking a very concrete step to make the matchday experience at our home games even more inclusive. As a Brøndby IF fan, you should feel welcome and part of the club’s community no matter what. As a club, we have a strong responsibility to remove barriers that may stand in the way.”
Partnerships in Action
To mark the launch, members of the Danish Association of the Blind attended the home fixture against Sønderjyske, with the initiative receiving strong recognition from the organisation.
Diana Stentoft, National Chair of the Danish Association of the Blind, commented:
“Audio description is about equal access to the community, and it means that even more people can experience football – including those who cannot follow the game visually. Audio description makes a significant difference for blind and visually impaired people, as they are no longer dependent on random radio excerpts or constantly asking others what is happening on the pitch. We are therefore pleased that Brøndby IF is offering audio description at its home matches and thereby improving the opportunity for blind and severely visually impaired fans to follow the club’s games.”
Alongside the Danish Association of the Blind, Betano played a central role in supporting and developing the permanent service. The launch represents the first step in a broader ambition shared by Brøndby IF and Betano to reduce accessibility barriers in football.
Kresten Hougaard, Country Manager for Betano in Denmark, said:
“Inclusion is a key priority for Betano, as we strongly believe that everyone should have equal opportunities to enjoy the game. As the main partner of Brøndby IF, it is important for us to turn our commitments into action. We are proud to have participated in the development of a service that gives fans with visual impairments better access to the full football experience.”
Benefiting All Fans — Beyond the Stadium
The solution at Brøndby Stadium is the first permanent system of its kind in the Nordic region and can be accessed from anywhere.
At the stadium, fans can listen live via their smartphones and headphones through radio.brondby.com. At home, the same commentary can be synchronised with live TV broadcasts, allowing supporters to follow the match in real time from anywhere.
Thomas Skov added:
“The reach of Brøndby IF’s new audio description service extends beyond people with visual impairments. Fans who, for various reasons, are unable to attend the stadium can now follow the match on the go or from home and thereby be part of the club’s community.”
The software powering the service is provided by German technology company Mycrocast, which delivers similar solutions to clubs in the Bundesliga and Ajax Amsterdam.
Lead audio description commentator Selver Elezovic will front coverage of Brøndby IF’s matches. He previously provided commentary for Danish fixtures, including at EURO 2024, and will be joined at Brøndby’s home games by former player Joel Kabongo.
The post Brøndby IF Launches Permanent Audio Description Service for Fans Inside and Outside the Stadium appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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