Classifying differences in public opinions towards gambling policy goals

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Author(s): Lind, Kalle ; Raisamo, Susanna ; Selin, Jani ; Kontto, Jukka

Journal: BMC Public Health

Year Published: 2026

Date Added: June 24, 2026

Public opinion towards gambling policies can vary based on factors such as gender, age, and gambling engagement. In the current study, the researchers used data from the 2023 Finnish Gambling Study to examine people’s attitudes towards different gambling policy goals. They identified profiles of people who prioritized different gambling policy goals.

Generally, most participants in this study prioritized harm prevention and reduction, preventing gambling with unauthorized operators, and reducing crime. Three different profiles emerged: Traditionalists (support for generating revenue for the state and reducing crime and harms), Harm-reducers (support for reducing harms and gambling overall), and Libertarians (support for freedom of choice and competition).

Citation: Lind K., Raisamo S., Selin J., & Kontto J. (2026). A latent class analysis of public opinions about gambling policy goals: A population-based survey in Finland. BMC Public Health, 26, 1266. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-26755-0

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-26755-0

Keywords: crime ; gambling ; harm reduction ; illegal gambling ; prevention ; public opinion ; public policy

Topics: Comorbidities ; Crime and Deviance ; Gambling Resources ; Information for Operators ; Information for Policy Makers ; Information for Treatment Providers ; Prevention ; Socio-political Environment

Conceptual Framework Factors: Environment - Socio-Political Environment ; Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Gambling Environment ; Social - Deviance ; Environment - Public Policy ; Gambling Resources

Response Rate: 36.9%

Study Design: Observational: Cross-sectional

Geographic Coverage: Finland

Study Population: People living in mainland Finland aged 15–74 years (N = 5,997)

Sampling Procedure: Data were drawn from the 2023 Finnish Gambling Study, which randomly selected participants from the general population. People living in institutions, those experiencing homelessness, expatriates (including residents of Åland), and those whose primary language was not Finnish, Swedish, or Sámi, were excluded from the study. The data were weighted to reflect the Finnish adult population, account for age, sex, region, and urban–rural classification.

Study Funding:

Funding from this study came from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in Finland. Open Access funding was provided by Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.