The Finnish gambling and lottery state monopoly Veikkaus Oy has called on lawmakers to delay the introduction of mandatory identification checks of coupon games, including lotteries.

Veikkaus started to upgrade its sales terminals ahead of the introduction of Finland’s new Lotteries Act, which came into force on January 1, 2022, though some points in the law were granted a transitional period and can be implemented as late as January 1, 2023.

However, Veikkaus states that a global shortage of components due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, has brought ‘major challenges’ and delays to the project.

Therefore, Finland’s gambling monopoly has called for a 12-month delay in the implementation of mandatory ID checks.

“The new modern sales terminals enable the implementation of mandatory identification and gaming management in accordance with the requirements of both the Lotteries and Money Laundering Act and the authorities,” said Jari Heino, Director of Channels and Sales.

“Due to the global shortage of components, deliveries of new sales terminals are already behind schedule. There is a risk that the required sales terminals will not be available in time for the mandatory statutory identification to be implemented from January 1, 2023.

“This risk is not under the control of Veikkaus, nor of the supplier in all respects, although of course everything that can be done is done to reduce the risk.”

Veikkaus’ equipment overhaul has been several years in the making, and the company still retains hope that it can deliver on time.

“Our goal is to continue to proceed according to the original schedule,” Heino added.

“However, the risk of delays due to component shortage is so great that we need to prepare for it as well.

“When the shortage of components eases, we’ll introduce the new terminals as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, Veikkaus expanded its operational scope with the the launch of its new B2B gaming subsidiary Fenica Gaming last month, aided by the new Lotteries Act.