Finland reviews scratchcard gift rules under new gambling law

Finland’s government has launched an official assessment of whether the longstanding prohibition on gifting scratchcards should be reversed under its newly adopted gambling law. The review is part of the broader reform of the nation’s gambling regulatory framework and seeks to determine whether changes are needed to allow prizes won on scratchcards to be legally claimed by someone other than the purchaser.

The initiative follows significant changes in Finland’s legal approach to gambling in recent years. Mandatory identification requirements were extended to cover all forms of gambling overseen by the state gambling operator, Veikkaus, in January 2024. Under those rules, scratchcards could no longer be purchased for others because prizes could only be claimed by the individual whose identity was verified at the time of purchase.

Government officials have stated that the current review will address concerns raised about this restriction and will conclude by the end of March 2026. The central focus is to examine whether the earlier prohibition should be lifted and whether the Lotteries Act and the Gambling Act need amendment to permit scratchcards to be given as presents.

Background of the scratchcard gift ban in Finland

Historically in Finland, lottery scratchcards were a popular gift item around holidays and family celebrations. Prior to 2024, it was common for individuals to buy scratchcards for friends or relatives as a novelty present. The cultural practice mirrored similar traditions in other countries where lottery tickets are given as gifts on birthdays and special occasions.

However, when Finland introduced mandatory identity checks across all Veikkaus gambling products from January 1 2024, the government did not provide an exception for scratchcards given as gifts. Under the updated rules, anyone wishing to buy and redeem a scratchcard had to show valid identification at the point of purchase and again when claiming any prize. This made it impossible for the recipient of a gifted scratchcard to claim winnings unless they themselves had purchased it and completed the identity verification process.

The result was a de facto ban on gifting scratchcards because the legal framework did not allow winnings earned on another person’s ticket to be transferred or claimed. Critics noted that this had a significant impact on sales and altered an established gifting culture in Finland.

Government review aims and timeline

The Finnish Interior Ministry is overseeing the study into the scratchcard gifting policy and has emphasized that the review will assess both the legal feasibility and social impact of any change. A key question in the assessment is whether allowing scratchcards to be given as gifts could undermine the safeguards introduced through mandatory identity checks, which aimed to prevent underage gambling and promote responsible play.

Parliament included a directive in the legislative process for the new Gambling Act calling for urgent investigation into the issue of gifted scratchcards and how prizes might be legally claimed by someone other than the buyer. The study is expected to be completed by March 31 2026.

Officials have said that youth protection and responsible gambling considerations will be important in their evaluation. They have acknowledged that Christmas and other gift-giving seasons traditionally saw a spike in scratchcard sales, but that social and regulatory concerns must be balanced against cultural practices.

Finland’s new gambling law and market reform

The review into the scratchcard gift ban is occurring against the backdrop of Finland’s most comprehensive overhaul of gambling regulation in decades. In December 2025, the Finnish Parliament approved a new Gambling Act designed to transition the market from a state monopoly to a licensing model for online gambling.

Under the reformed system, which takes effect in phases through 2026 and 2027, Finland will adopt a multi‑licensing regime that opens online casino games, sports betting and other digital gambling services to licensed private operators. This aligns Finland more closely with regulatory frameworks in other Nordic countries that have competitive gambling markets and robust regulatory oversight.

Veikkaus, the Finnish state‑owned gambling monopoly, will retain exclusive rights to operate lotteries, scratchcards and land‑based casino games including physical slot machines. Private companies will be able to apply for licences to operate online gambling services under strict regulatory requirements and compliance standards.

The licensing process is expected to begin in March 2026 and licensed operations could commence on July 1 2027. A dedicated government authority will take over supervision and enforcement from the existing National Police Board at that time.

Views from within the gambling industry

Not all stakeholders agree on the merits of reversing the gift ban. Several operators preparing to enter Finland’s liberalised online gambling market have expressed scepticism about the motivation behind the review. Some industry representatives suggest that reintroducing the ability to buy scratchcards as gifts might serve to stabilise revenue for Veikkaus at a time of declining sales rather than address any identified social need.

Antti Koivula, chief compliance officer at Hippos ATG, a firm involved in the Finnish gambling sector, commented publicly on the issue. He said: “Officially this is about gift giving. In practice it is about restoring revenue for the state owned gambling operator. Scratchcards will remain a monopoly product and will not be available to other future licensed operators so the outcome is not relevant for other licence applicants.

“If giving scratch cards as gifts will be re-allowed it will be interesting to hear the justification what has changed from the gambling harm perspective in such a short time period? I highly doubt anyone will be officially brave enough to admit the real rationale.” His remarks underscore concerns that the policy review may be more financially motivated than focused purely on social policy.

Other independent analysts have stressed that any shift in policy must be carefully evaluated in terms of responsible gaming safeguards. They argue that allowing gifted scratchcards may reintroduce risks that the identification requirements were designed to mitigate, such as unmonitored play by minors or vulnerable adults.

Responsible gambling protections and youth safeguards

The mandatory identification regime implemented in 2024 was introduced to strengthen responsible gambling protections across the Finnish market. Supporters of the identity policy have pointed out that requiring players to verify their identity at the point of sale and redemption reduces the risk of underage play, allows better tracking of gambling behaviour and helps operators intervene when problematic patterns emerge.

Veikkaus itself has publicly defended the mandatory identification rules as necessary to build a safer gaming environment and support age limit monitoring. Identification also facilitates the use of self‑exclusion tools that allow individuals to limit or block their own access to gambling products.

As the government evaluates the scratchcard gifting issue, regulators are expected to consider whether modifications to the current regime could preserve these protective safeguards. One proposal gaining attention is the introduction of verification mechanisms for the recipient of a gifted scratchcard, such as requiring the recipient to present their own verified identification at the time of claiming a prize.

However, any such proposals would require changes to existing legislation and careful drafting to avoid unintended consequences, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Cultural and social implications

Scratchcards have held a unique place in Finnish popular culture. During holiday seasons and family gatherings, the cards were often seen as light‑hearted gifts that added excitement and the possibility of a small win. The ban on gifting disrupted this tradition almost immediately when the identification requirement took effect.

The inability of recipients to claim prizes from gifted scratchcards has also raised legal and consumer questions, particularly around property rights and fairness. Prior to the rule change, the person who purchased the scratchcard could transfer it to someone else who could then claim any prize. The 2024 requirement removed that flexibility, creating situations where a card given in good‑faith could become worthless if it contained a winning number.

This dynamic has drawn commentary from residents and cultural observers who argue that the change has altered a long‑standing social practice and diminished a form of casual entertainment and gifting. The current government review seeks to address these cultural concerns alongside the statutory and regulatory factors.

Potential outcomes and next steps

At this stage, the Finnish Interior Ministry’s review remains preliminary. Officials are studying the legal implications of allowing gifted scratchcards to be redeemed by recipients who did not purchase them and assessing what legislative changes would be required.

One outcome could be a recommendation to amend the Lotteries Act and the Gambling Act to explicitly permit gifted scratchcards and establish clear rules for prize redemption. Another outcome might be to maintain the existing prohibition if regulators determine that the risks to responsible gambling protections outweigh the benefits of restoring the gifting option.

Regardless of the outcome, the review is likely to stimulate public debate about gambling regulation, consumer rights and the role of state control in a market that is undergoing significant transformation.

As Finland continues to implement its new gambling regime and open parts of the market to competition, the status of scratchcards and gift practices may serve as an important case study in how cultural traditions intersect with modern regulatory frameworks.

Conclusion

The ongoing review of Finland’s scratchcard gifting policy reflects the delicate balance between tradition, public interest and regulatory oversight. While scratchcards have long held a place in Finnish cultural and social life as a light-hearted gift, the mandatory identification rules introduced in 2024 have highlighted the tension between safeguarding players and preserving customary practices. The government’s assessment offers an opportunity to address these competing priorities by carefully considering whether a legal framework can enable gift-giving while maintaining robust protections against underage gambling and gambling-related harm.

The outcome will not only influence the future of scratchcards in Finland but also serve as a broader indicator of how the country manages the transition from a state monopoly to a multi-licensed gambling market. Stakeholders from Veikkaus to new market entrants and the public at large will closely monitor the findings, which may redefine the intersection of cultural tradition, consumer rights and responsible gambling in a liberalised Finnish market. Ultimately, the review embodies a forward-looking approach, seeking to modernise the nation’s gambling framework while acknowledging the social and economic realities surrounding one of its most familiar forms of entertainment.

FAQs

What prompted Finland to review scratchcard gift rules?
The review was initiated after identity verification rules made it impossible for recipients to claim prizes and raised concerns about cultural practices and legal fairness.

Why were scratchcards no longer available as gifts in 2024?
Mandatory identification checks required players to be verified at purchase and redemption making gift use impractical.

Who is conducting the review into the scratchcard policy?
Finland’s Interior Ministry is leading the review based on a parliamentary directive.

What main question is the review expected to answer?
The study will determine if scratchcards can legally be gifted and prizes claimed by the recipient.

When is the review expected to conclude?
Officials aim to complete the assessment by March 31 2026.

How does the new Gambling Act affect scratchcards?
The new law does not yet include a specific provision for gifting scratchcards but enables broader reform of gambling rules.

What concerns have operators raised about the proposal?
Some see the measure as potentially boosting state operator revenue and question the social justification.

How do identification checks relate to responsible gambling?
They support age verification tracking of play patterns and interventions for at‑risk players.

Will this change affect other gambling products?
The current focus is on scratchcards though the new gambling law broadly affects market structure.

What cultural implications does this review have?
It touches on traditional Finnish gift practices and public perceptions of gambling rules.

Could recipients redeem prizes if gifting is re‑allowed?
The review seeks to define legal mechanisms to enable prize redemption by recipients if allowed.