Veikkaus to Enforce ID Checks for Scratchcards as Finland Prepares for Gambling Market Overhaul

Finland’s lottery enthusiasts, a significant change is coming your way!

Veikkaus, Finland’s sole gambling operator, is set to implement a pivotal policy change that ensures responsible gaming.

Beginning 2024, scratchcard purchases will mandate ID verification, aligning with Finland’s commitment to secure and accountable gambling practices.

Stay informed about these essential updates to prepare for a seamless transition in your gaming experience.

In a landmark move to bolster responsible gaming, Finland’s gambling monopoly Veikkaus will introduce compulsory identification checks for all scratchcard transactions starting 1 January 2024. This regulation, encompassing popular games like the Ässä and Casino lottery, aims to fortify the integrity of the gaming environment.

Customers will be required to present valid identification, such as a driving licence, “Kela” card, or a Veikkaus card, to both purchase scratchcards and redeem any prizes. This transition phase allows players until the end of 2023 to engage with scratchcards under the current system, with the ability to claim winnings sans ID as per the country’s Lottery Act.

Scratchcards join the cadre of products under Veikkaus‘s domain that necessitate player identification, a measure already in place for coupon games like Lotto and Eurojackpot since the previous May.

“Conditions for identification of scratchcards are good,” states Ville Venojärvi, Veikkaus director of sweepstakes. The company’s expansive customer base is accustomed to ID verification, which not only curtails gaming disadvantages but also fortifies the enforcement of age restrictions.

Furthermore, Veikkaus has announced the advent of an innovative scratchcard-based draw game set to launch in 2024. This new offering incentivizes players with daily draws, awarding five €1,000 prizes, adding an additional layer of excitement for scratchcard aficionados.

This news arrives amid significant shifts in Finland’s gambling landscape. Veikkaus is bracing for the dissolution of its gambling monopoly as the Finnish government lays the groundwork for a regulated market by 2026. The forthcoming licensing system will signal the end of Veikkaus‘s online monopoly, although it is anticipated that the operator will maintain its exclusive hold over the lottery and retail slot machines.

Despite the impending changes, Veikkaus‘s Deputy CEO Velipekka Nummikoski expresses support for the move towards regulation, committing to aid the government in this evolution.

The shift, however, comes with its set of challenges. Veikkaus has voiced concerns over potential job losses and the downsizing of its gaming arcades in response to the market’s opening, anticipating a reduction in staff by approximately 240 and a strategic reconfiguration of its venue count.