Changes in Minors' Gambling on Slot Machines in Finland after the Raising of the Minimum Legal Gambling Age from 15 to 18 Years: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Aim

The legal gambling age in Finland was raised from 15 to 18 years in 2010, but slot machines were given a transition period that ended with the full law coming into effect on 1 July 2011. The widespread accessibility of slot machines and their popularity among youth led us to consider how age limit was enforced in the Finnish gambling monopoly system and to analyse how underage gambling on slot machines changed after the raising of the minimum age.

Methods

Two nationwide cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2011 and 2013 (12–18-year-olds; N=8101; average response rate 42%). The main measure was self-reported six-month prevalence of slot machine use overall and by venue (shops; kiosks; petrol stations; restaurants/cafés; ship travels to Sweden/Estonia; other). Changes from 2011 to 2013 were tested by using the χ² tests and multivariate logistic regression analyses. As a reference group only, 18-year-olds were analysed, as they were of legal age to gamble.

Results

The six-month prevalence of slot machine use among 12–16-year-olds declined from 44% in 2011 to 13% in 2013 (p <.001). The decline was the most pronounced in shops. A significant interaction was found between age and survey year; slot machine use declined more sharply among 16-year-olds than among those aged 14 or 12.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that raising the legal age limit from 15 to 18 years significantly decreased the prevalence of slot machine use among minors, even in a policy context where the general availability of gambling products was not reduced.