At the end of last year Veikkaus announced that it would reduce the number of slot machines in its retail network by 3,500 by the end of 2020. Following the new decision, the number will rise to 8,000 machines. In other words, Veikkaus more than doubles the planned reductions.

– In December 2020, there will be a maximum of 10,500 slot machines in the retail network – shops, kiosks, and service stations. At the beginning of this year, they numbered ca. 18,500, says Mr Jari Heino, Senior Vice President, Channels and Sales. 

Thus, the number of slot machines in the retail network will fall by ca. 40 percent. The maximum number of slot machines per point of sales is also reduced. By January 2021, a single point of sales can only have four slot machines at the maximum. The reductions will be introduced gradually in 2020. 

Arcades open in June, slot machines in July 

Veikkaus opens its arcades for limited numbers of customers (Casino Helsinki, Feel Vegas and Pelaamo arcades) on Friday 26 June and the decentralized slot machines in, e.g., shops, kiosks, service stations, and restaurants on Wednesday 15 July. The new responsibility measures will take effect in the arcades immediately. 

– Everyone should have a chance, for example, to do their shopping without relapsing to gambling. That is why all our decentralized slot machines only open for playing at 11 a.m. every day. They close by 4 a.m. at the latest. This change will remain effective until compulsory identification enters into force in January 2021. After that, people will have the chance to impose a total block on their slots gaming, says Mr Heino, explaining the new decisions. 

– We will also introduce session timers to all Veikkaus’ slot machines in retail network, announcing the time spent on gaming every 15 minutes. It helps you notice the passing of time, if you fail to keep track of it by yourself. However, if gaming still causes problems, you can already set a self-exclusion on your gaming, when playing identified.  

Coronavirus risks noted 

When opening the arcades and slot machines, Veikkaus pays attention to the health risks caused by the coronavirus. People are urged to maintain safe distance to other people at the slot machines and the arcades.

– We will also take special care of hygiene, for example, by installing plexiglass shields to the checkout desks and between the slot machines, together with floor graphics to remind people to keep a safe distance, and we will place hand sanitizer dispensers near the slot machines. We have provided the arcades with various protective gear for our employees. We want to make sure that both Veikkaus’ staff and the customers have the best possible protection against the coronavirus, says Mr Heino.  

Veikkaus is following and evaluating the effects of its decisions and measures every day, together with following the policies laid down by the Finnish Government. 

– We are ready to react fast, if the situation requires it. We want to keep up dialogue with our stakeholders and work for an even safer gaming environment every day, Mr Heino stresses.

About Veikkaus (www.veikkaus.fi)

We are a Finnish gaming company and an international leader in the gaming industry. We want to provide the world's best gaming experience with reliability and security. Our gaming and digital professionals are constantly developing something new and exciting for our customers. Thanks to our players, we collect more than a billion euros a year in common good.

Contacts

Address: 
Veikkaus Oy
Aku Korhosen tie 2
00440 HELSINKI

Veikkaus' media service:
Phone 09 4370 7000 (8 am to 10 pm)
https://www.veikkaus.fi/fi/yritys?lang=en