A survey has revealed that underage gambling remains a concern in Finland. According to data gathered by teachers from 177 schools, approximately 15 per cent of students reported having gambled for money between April 2023 and April 2024.
Among these students, 25 per cent of males and 4 per cent of females under the age of 18 admitted to gambling, although their spending varied across different products. These figures represent a significant decrease from 2019, when 46 per cent of males and 21 per cent of females were found to have gambled. It is noteworthy that Finland increased the minimum gambling age from 15 to 18 in 2011.
The data is part of a report by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, which is published every four to five years and examines the use of alcohol, drugs, and gambling among teenagers. This report is included in the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD), which collects data from various countries. A Europe-wide report is set to be published next year.
Earlier, a study conducted by THL unveiled a prevailing disapproval of gambling within the Finnish populace
Meanwhile, the Portuguese Online Gambling and Betting Association (APAJO) has expressed concerns that Portugal is failing to tackle the problem of unlicensed gambling. According to its 2024 Portuguese Online Gambling Habits Survey, 41 per cent of Portuguese players have used unlicensed platforms, a figure that rises to 52.1 per cent among those aged 18 to 34.
APAJO, which has recently lodged criminal complaints against social media influencers promoting unlicensed sites, identified the main reasons players choose these platforms as the promise of higher bonuses, better odds, and a wider selection of games. Conversely, among those who preferred licensed platforms, 61.3 per cent cited enhanced security and 37.3 per cent mentioned better customer support.
Although 90 per cent of the 1,000 respondents were aware that it is illegal for operators to offer gambling services without a licence in Portugal, APAJO noted that four unlicensed operators were still among the top 15 most-used online gambling platforms in the country.
APAJO president Ricardo Domingues warned that this situation presents an imminent threat to user safety. He emphasised that licensed operators must work with lawmakers and the national gambling regulator to achieve a channelisation rate of at least 80 per cent.
Domingues stated: “Currently, illegal operators are typically dubious enterprises that exploit the ease with which they can reach Portuguese audiences while evading consumer protection regulations and taxes. These organisations pose significant risks to players, whether it be their account balances, personal and financial data, or through predatory practices targeting vulnerable groups.”
