Scratch card sales in Finland have seen a significant drop of 44% during the first half of 2024, as a direct consequence of the implementation of mandatory identification for the purchase of these products.
This measure, which came into force at the beginning of the year, is part of a set of regulations aimed at tightening control over gambling activities in the country. State gambling monopoly Veikkaus reported that the new regulations, designed to prevent access by minors and promote responsible gambling, have significantly impacted sales of this popular product.
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Prior to the introduction of mandatory identification, scratch cards accounted for a significant share of land-based gambling revenue in Finland. The implementation of these measures follows mandatory identification for land-based token games, which was introduced in spring 2023 and which also resulted in a 21% decline in sales of those games.
While these regulations have reduced gambling margins, they are part of a broader effort by the Finnish government and Veikkaus to more strictly regulate the gambling sector and mitigate the risks associated with it. The drop in scratch card sales has also been influenced by a slight decline in consumer purchasing power, further exacerbating the impact of the new regulations.
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