Session Title

Session 2-3-C: Regulatory Change and Models

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation

Location

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada

Start Date

29-5-2019 1:45 PM

End Date

29-5-2019 3:10 PM

Disciplines

Human Geography | Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration | Social and Cultural Anthropology | Sociology of Culture

Abstract

Abstract

Finland's three gambling monopoly operators merged into one state-owned entity in 2017. A particular challenge to the process came from its smallest constituent, the tote company Fintoto, its owner, the national Trotting and Horse Breeding Association, and the equine industry’s cultural peculiarity.

The process is examined from the perspective of the equine industry, which had to choose between joining or not joining the merger. The exchanges between 'horse people' and state regulators, the equine industry’s resistance and decision to participate in the merger, and concerns about impact are traced from Finland's leading equine newspaper, in 2015–2017. The articles are triangulated with documents produced by state and equine organizations, material from other media sources, and ethnography.

The qualitative assessment shows how cultural peculiarity challenges national regulatory processes and causes internal divisions among affected groups. The discussion shows why communication is a critical success factor in regulatory transitions and impact management, and how general trends in society may intervene. The findings stress the importance of understanding culture, history, and geographical scale in the study and management of regulatory change. The investigation demonstrates the value of systematic documentation and long-term qualitative view in assessing impact.

So What?

The presentation shows why “one size does not fit all” and why this matters in regulatory and industry change. Ignorance of cultural peculiarity can complicate regulatory processes and generate unnecessary economic, political, and socio-cultural costs.

Keywords

regulatory change, monopoly, impact, equine industry, qualitative research, Europe

Author Bios

Professor Pauliina Raento is Adjunct Professor in Gambling Studies and a Senior Research Associate of the Academy of Finland Center of Excellence on Game Culture Studies at Tampere University, Finland. She is also Secretary General of the Finnish Association for Scholarly Publishing and holds a degree in Stable Management. The presentation forms part of her Horse in Finland research project, funded by the Kone Foundation.

Funding Sources

Research project funding: Kone Foundation, travel funding: Academy of Finland Center of Excellence on Game Culture Studies at Tampere University. No involvement.

Competing Interests

None.

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May 29th, 1:45 PM May 29th, 3:10 PM

"Oh, those horsemen!" Regulatory change and cultural peculiarity in Finland

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada

Abstract

Finland's three gambling monopoly operators merged into one state-owned entity in 2017. A particular challenge to the process came from its smallest constituent, the tote company Fintoto, its owner, the national Trotting and Horse Breeding Association, and the equine industry’s cultural peculiarity.

The process is examined from the perspective of the equine industry, which had to choose between joining or not joining the merger. The exchanges between 'horse people' and state regulators, the equine industry’s resistance and decision to participate in the merger, and concerns about impact are traced from Finland's leading equine newspaper, in 2015–2017. The articles are triangulated with documents produced by state and equine organizations, material from other media sources, and ethnography.

The qualitative assessment shows how cultural peculiarity challenges national regulatory processes and causes internal divisions among affected groups. The discussion shows why communication is a critical success factor in regulatory transitions and impact management, and how general trends in society may intervene. The findings stress the importance of understanding culture, history, and geographical scale in the study and management of regulatory change. The investigation demonstrates the value of systematic documentation and long-term qualitative view in assessing impact.

So What?

The presentation shows why “one size does not fit all” and why this matters in regulatory and industry change. Ignorance of cultural peculiarity can complicate regulatory processes and generate unnecessary economic, political, and socio-cultural costs.