The film was planned for a 1976 release, but was delayed due the military service of director Lauri Törhönen, the search of archive material (consisting seven minutes alone after the opening credits) and the lack of studio time.
Writer Jussi Niilekselä first adapted the story to a sketch, shown as part of the stage play Suomalainen, siirtolainen (1973) with actors Heikki Kinnunen (Mr. Niemi) and Esko Salminen (Dealer). Instead of roulette, the sketch features a dice table.