Age Restrictions on Gambling in Finland

Since the legislative amendment that came into effect on July 1, 2011, all forms of gambling have been prohibited for individuals under the age of 18 in Finland. This regulation has significantly reduced gambling among minors.

Age Restrictions on Gambling in Finland: Who Ensures Compliance?

The responsibility for enforcing age restrictions on gambling in Finland lies with gambling operators as well as agents and sellers who provide gambling services. Failure to enforce these restrictions can lead to criminal liability. Inspections, particularly regarding slot machines, have repeatedly revealed serious shortcomings in age control.

In 2021, mandatory identification was introduced for decentralized slot machines, further reducing underage gambling.

Gambling Culture and Marketing’s Impact on Youth

In Finland, gambling is widely accepted and accessible in everyday environments such as grocery stores and kiosks. The colorful designs, sounds, and flashing lights of gambling machines can attract the attention of children and teenagers. Gambling also finds its way into youth environments through sponsorships in sports and hobbies.

Children and teenagers are exposed to gambling advertising, particularly online. Social media and various digital platforms, where young people spend significant amounts of time, often feature aggressive gambling advertisements. Even free-to-play digital games may include gambling ads that players must watch to advance in the game.

In mainland Finland, only Veikkaus Oy is allowed to advertise gambling, as per the Lotteries Act. Gambling advertisements must not target minors, and all gambling marketing is overseen by the Finnish National Police Board, which handles reports of illegal advertising.

However, illegal gambling advertisements have increasingly targeted young people through social media, leveraging influencers to associate gambling with success, wealth, and fame.

Youth Gambling Trends

Although Finnish youth gamble significantly less than adults, largely due to the 18-year age limit, boys are more likely to gamble than girls. In 2019, 41% of minors aged 15–17 had gambled despite the age restriction.

The most popular gambling activity among minors in 2019 was scratch cards, followed by gambling on cruise ships and slot machines. However, the popularity of slot machines among minors has decreased further due to mandatory identification, which verifies the player’s age and identity.

Photo: Artur Kukov

Facts & figures: THL.fi