Veikkaus has temporarily halted activities in the Satakunta region due to an increase in Covid-19 cases. Finnish government orders currently restrict the opening of gambling facilities and operation of slot machines in regions where the virus is spreading. However, since Satakunta has seen a decline in positive cases, it has been downgraded to ‘basic’ Covid-19 measures, allowing Veikkaus to resume slot machine activity.
Veikkaus will open its slot machines in kiosks, shops, and traffic stations starting tomorrow morning. Additionally, its gaming halls will reopen. Meanwhile, the government has upgraded Åland to the ‘accelerating or spreading’ phase of Covid-19 restrictions, leading to the implementation of new rules.
Earlier this week, Veikkaus closed its slot machines in the Kainuu region after local authorities increased the area’s Covid-19 alert status. In accordance with new mandatory ID laws, consumers playing on Veikkaus’s slot machines must now prove their identity before gambling. These ID laws aim to enhance consumer protection and are expected to reduce player losses by up to €300m.