Changes in Minors' Gambling on Slot Machines in Finland after the Raising of the Minimum Legal Gambling Age from 15 to 18 Years: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Aim The legal gambling age in Finland was raised from 15 to 18 years in 2010, but slot machines were given a transition period that ended with the full law coming into effect on 1 July 2011. The widespread accessibility of slot machines and their popularity among youth led us to consider how age limit was enforced in the Finnish gambling monopoly system and to analyse how underage gambling on slot machines changed after the raising of the minimum age. Methods Two nationwide cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2011 and 2013 (12–18-year-olds; N=8101; average response rate 42%). The main measure was self-reported six-month prevalence of slot machine use overall and by venue (shops; kiosks; petrol stations; restaurants/cafés; ship travels to Sweden/Estonia; other). Changes from 2011 to 2013 were tested by using the χ2 tests and multivariate logistic regression analyses. As a reference group only, 18-year-olds were analysed, as they were of legal age to gamble. Results The six-month prevalence of slot machine use among 12–16-year-olds declined from 44% in 2011 to 13% in 2013 (p <.001). The decline was the most pronounced in shops. A significant interaction was found between age and survey year; slot machine use declined more sharply among 16-year-olds than among those aged 14 or 12. Conclusions These findings suggest that raising the legal age limit from 15 to 18 years significantly decreased the prevalence of slot machine use among minors, even in a policy context where the general availability of gambling products was not reduced.

Adolescent Gambling, Gambling Expenditure and Gambling–Related Harms in Finland, 2011–2017

“…From the international perspective, Finland is of particular interest due to an exceptional decentralized system of slot machines, which guarantees easy access to these type of games in supermarkets, kiosks, gas stations, cafés etc. The most preferred type of gambling among Finnish underage adolescents is slot machines, and we have shown in our previous study that, regardless of age restriction, approximately 13% of 12-16-year-olds manage to gamble on slot machines (Raisamo et al 2015). So far, underage gambling expenditure has rarely been a subject of specific investigation, and therefore, the present study adds to the scarce body of literature in this field as well.…”

Setting Limits: Gambling, Science and Public Policy—summary of results

“…Age limits are applied in most jurisdictions and studies suggest that they help to reduce problem gambling among youth if set sufficiently high (18 + years) [76, 77]. Restrictions on the working class or other selected groups have commonly been imposed to protect them; also local residents are often not allowed to gamble in casinos in their community.…”

Teacher Awareness and Attitudes Regarding Adolescent Risk Behaviours: a Sample of Finnish Middle and High School Teachers

“…Approximately 20 000 slot machines are not only available in gambling venues but in kiosks, shops, shopping centers, hotels, coffee shops, gas stations where youngsters have access into (Warpenius et al 2012). Based on a population study ( N  = 4566) conducted in 2011, 44 % of 12 to18-year-old Finns had gambled during the past 6 months (Raisamo et al 2013, 2015). Furthermore, a nationwide School Health Promotion Study ( N  = 101,167) conducted in 2010–2011 revealed that 62 % of the 14 to16-year-olds had gambled during the previous year (Räsänen et al 2015).…”