Finland will introduce a new requirement for fans of slot machines

According to the Finnish media and Finnish Broadcasting Company Yle, the local government is ready to draft a bill that provides a procedure for checking the identity of clients of gaming halls.

Since 2023, Finland will introduce age verification for those wishing to try their luck at slot games. This was reported by the national gaming operator Veikkaus.

Since 2023, about 180 thousand slot machines, which are located in supermarkets, gaming kiosks and gas stations throughout the country, will be re-equipped. Before starting the game in the future, people will have to confirm their identity and age. How the authentication will be performed, the game operator does not explain. It is expected that the modernization of slot machines will cost Veikkaus from € 50 million to € 100 million.

With such a step, the Finnish authorities followed the recent report of the National Institute for Health and Welfare THL, which says that authentication is an effective method of combating gambling addiction. At the moment, in Suomi there are about 130 thousand people who have problems with gambling.

It is expected that the changes will not take effect until 2023, but Veikkaus expects that new identification requirements will start appearing on a phased basis through the natural process of updating old machines to new ones with advanced functions.

Pekka IImivalta, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, informed that they are still considering the specifics of the change. They haven’t still decided whether the ID process would affect all Finnish games and types of gambling present in the local market. It was told earlier, that Lotto would remain unchanged, as it is considered the least harmful way of entertainment.

Recall that in December, the decree came into force, which limited the actions of gamblers in the virtual space.

Finland has a monopoly on gambling. Money from the income of a national enterprise goes to charitable organizations and funds whose main purpose is to support health and social well-being, prevention of problems and assistance to people with special problems. Since 2017, three national gambling operators – Fintoto (horse racing), Ray (slots) and Veikkaus (sports betting and lotteries) – are united under one brand – Veikkaus.