Veikkaus, the gambling monopoly in Finland, has announced its plans to implement changes regarding the purchase of scratch cards in an effort to promote responsible gambling. Starting from January 1, 2024, customers buying scratch cards for Ässä and Casino lottery will be required to identify themselves. This identification will also be necessary for claiming any winnings from the scratch card games.
The mandatory identification for scratch card purchases and winnings is an expansion of the existing requirement for customers who purchase coupon games such as Eurojackpot and Lotto, which was implemented in May. This means that Finnish customers will need to use a personal card, driver’s license, Veikkaus card, Kela card, or the mobile card offered through the lottery’s application as a means of identification.
The change, although set to take effect in January 2024, will not affect the sale of scratch card games through the end of 2023, and winnings from games purchased during that year will not require identification. In addition to the identification requirement, Veikkaus also announced the addition of daily raffles for scratch card games. This means that non-winning scratch card lottery tickets can be entered into a daily draw for a chance to win one of five €1,000 prizes.
Ville Venojärvi, the director of lottery games at Veikkaus, emphasized that the new identification requirement builds on the existing framework for identification in coupon games, and he highlighted the flexibility of the identification process. He also expressed excitement about the new daily raffle draw, noting that it offers more opportunities for players to experience the thrill of winning.
In discussing the mandatory customer identification, Venojärvi pointed out that Veikkaus was among the first gaming companies to require identification for both digital and physical channels, with the goal of preventing gaming-related problems and promoting responsible gambling. This move aligns with the company’s ongoing efforts to prioritize responsible gaming practices.