Veikkaus introduces Covid-19 passport for Casino Helsinki

The requirement will come into effect from 29 November, while customers will continue to be encouraged to wear face masks when inside the casino to help limit the spread of the virus.

Finland uses the EU’s Digital Covid-19 passport, which contains three different certificates including vaccination status, whether the holder has a negative test result and if they have recovered from Covid-19.

The casino will also change its opening hours from the same date. It will now be open between 3pm and 2am from Sunday to Thursday, then 3pm to 4pm on Fridays and Sundays.

Slots will be in operation at all times, while poker rooms will open from 5pm.

“We follow the general guidelines and recommendations of the health authorities regarding the Covid-19 situation,” the Finnish monopoly operator explained. “We will introduce a passport to ensure the health safety of our customers and staff and to serve you longer in the evenings.

“We will continue to closely monitor the development of the Covid-19 situation and react quickly if necessary.”

The announcement comes after Veikkaus last week said problem gambling is at an “all-time low” following the introduction of loss limits on its slot machines, while revenue from the machines is projected to plummet by more than 80%.

Data released by the operator has shown that from September to October, up to 100,000 players stopped gambling as they had reached their loss limits.