Finland Proposes Legal Changes to Allow Gifting of Scratch Cards

Finland is moving toward a significant amendment of its Lotteries Act to save a cherished local tradition. The Ministry of the Interior has submitted a proposal to Parliament that will legally allow scratch cards to be given as gifts to third parties once again. Since the beginning of 2024, this had become nearly impossible due to strict identification requirements at the point of purchase and prize redemption. The government is responding to a feasibility study that examined whether prizes could be claimed by individuals other than the registered buyer.

The current situation led to major disruptions in the Finnish market. Because scratch cards are a popular gift, especially during the Christmas season, the restrictive rules caused significant public outcry. Anyone purchasing a ticket had to identify themselves, and only that specific individual was eligible to collect a prize. This meant the original purpose of a gift ticket was lost. With the new amendments, set to enter the Lotteries Act as soon as possible and the Gambling Act on July 1, 2027, this obstacle will be removed.

Numbers and facts

The economic consequences of the previous regulation were drastic. In 2024, lottery sales fell by approximately 40 percent. This massive decline highlights how vital occasional purchases and gifting are for the state-owned operator Veikkaus Oy. According to the Ministry's proposal, the purchaser of a ticket must still be a registered player with Veikkaus and provide identification at the time of purchase. However, the recipient of the gift does not need to hold a player account. It will be sufficient for the person to prove they are of legal age when redeeming the prize.

"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." - Finnish Ministry of the Interior Spokesperson

Background

Finland is currently undergoing a historic transformation of its gambling market. The existing monopoly held by Veikkaus is being phased out. Starting July 1, 2027, licensed private operators will be allowed to legally enter the Finnish market. While Veikkaus will retain exclusive rights for lotteries, scratch cards, and physical slot machines and casinos, the online sector for sports betting and casino games will be opened to competition. The current correction regarding scratch cards is seen as an important step to maintain public acceptance of state-regulated gambling while keeping player protection intact through buyer identification.

The government plans to maintain the temporary amendment to the Lotteries Act until June 30, 2027. Precisely at the time of market opening in the summer of 2027, these rules will be permanently integrated into the new Gambling Act. This provides certainty for retailers and the operator. Ministerial Adviser Jukka Tukia is responsible for inquiries regarding this process, which has already undergone a public consultation phase ending on August 13, 2026.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, the situation remains stricter but also more clearly regulated compared to Finland. In Germany, gifting physical lottery tickets is generally permitted as long as youth protection laws are followed. However, the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) sets narrow limits for online offerings. Operators licensed in Germany, listed on the whitelist of the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL), must comply with strict requirements. These include a cross-operator deposit limit of 1,000 euros per month and a stake limit of 1 euro per spin for online slots, monitored via the LUGAS system.

A key difference is that Germany already has a functioning licensing system for private online providers, while Finland is planning this step for 2027. German players should ensure they only play with GGL-licensed providers. Offers with licenses from Malta or Curacao are considered illegal in Germany and do not provide the legal protection guaranteed by the German system, including the OASIS exclusion database and LUGAS connectivity. However, the Finnish plans show that even highly regulated markets must make adjustments when rules stray too far from the citizens' daily lives.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

The development in Finland could serve as a signal for other European regulatory authorities. GGL-licensed casinos in Germany must continue to perform strict identity checks, but the Finnish example teaches that tying gaming rights too rigidly to a single identity can significantly damage the market. For German operators, this means the balance between player protection and user-friendliness remains crucial. As long as German rules regarding the 1-euro limit and the five-minute break per hour remain in place, the focus stays on channeling players into the legal market to prevent migration to black market providers, much like Finland is attempting with its scratch card correction.