Regulations could be amended to allow an adult other than the person who purchased the ticket to claim scratch card winnings
Finland’s Ministry of the Interior has submitted a proposal to Parliament to authorise the gifting of scratch cards.
The proposed amendments to the country’s Lottery Act and the Gambling Act follow the launch of a feasibility study by the government earlier this year to investigate whether the prize contained in a scratch card can be redeemed by someone other than the person who bought the card.
Scratch cards in Finland became subject to mandatory identification at the beginning of 2024, at which point customers were no longer able to purchase scratch cards as gifts.
Under the new proposal, anyone purchasing a scratch ticket will continue to undergo identity verification, but the person redeeming the prize would only have to be of legal age, not a registered Veikkaus player.
The regulations to amend the Lottery Act is proposed to enter into force as soon as possible and would be valid until 30 June 2027, while the amendment to the Gambling Act is proposed to enter into force on 1 July 2027.
Finland is in the process of re-regulating its monopoly gambling market, with licensed operators legally entering the Finnish market on 1 July 2027.
As a result of the reform, Veikkaus’ exclusivity over online betting and gaming will end in the summer of 2027.
Veikkaus will retain its exclusive right to lottery games, scratch cards, and physical slot machines and casino games.