Slot machine gaming on the rise

Slot machine gaming has been rising in popularity nearly everywhere in Finland. On average, Finns spent EUR 122 per resident on slot machines last year. This represents an increase of €7 from 2010.

This growth in gaming can be attributed to the reforms carried out last year and the year before. One of the major changes for game locations was the fact that the minimum age for slot machines was raised from 15 to 18 starting from July.

-          “Raising the age limit turned out the be a positive change in the end, though beforehand we were speculating that raising the age limit might reduce gaming,” says Jari Kivelä, RAY’s Director of Business Sites.

Finns are attracted to stories

Gaming has been increasing thanks to popular new slot machines. Kulta-Jaska, for example, released in 2010, has quickly become one of RAY's most popular games, rivalling traditional poker and fruit games. In Kivelä’s assessment, the success of Kulta-Jaska indicates that instead of simple game ideas, Finns are becoming more and more interested in themed games.

-          “Themed games are becoming the next big thing. Games must have some kind of interesting hook, for example a Finnish national theme.”

In addition to new games, the growth in slot machine gaming has also been spurred on by new ways to play. According to Kivelä, RAY’s Internet games, released at the end of 2010, have increased Finns’ interest in traditional slot machines as well. The growth of gaming has also been accelerated by new card payment terminals and banknote detectors, which have already been installed in numerous slot machines.

Gaming is most popular in Pertunmaa

However, the sums people use for gaming vary throughout Finland. Last year, gaming was most popular in Pertunmaa, where an average of €306 was spent on slot machines per resident. Pertunmaa was closely followed by Töysä, where residents spent an average of €305 on slot machines. These values are calculated from the proceeds of the slot machines. In other words, the winnings from the slot machines have been deducted from the total amount used.

However, it is doubtful that the residents of Pertunmaa and Töysä are quite so enthusiastic in their gaming. Rather, the top municipalities were those that had large numbers of tourists. After all, Töysä is a large centre of commerce, while Pertunmaa has a busy filling station.

On average, Finns spent €5 during a single gaming session. According to Kivelä, slot machine gaming is most popular among males between the ages of 18 and 39. 

Nearly EUR 400 million given out for welfare in Finland

The growth of slot machine gaming generates more funding for Finnish organisations than ever. RAY’s entire proceeds are used to support Finnish health and social welfare organisations as well as for the benefit of the country’s war veterans. In 2012, RAY will distribute EUR 390 million in funding. Of the total sum, EUR 99.3 million will be donated to the State Treasury for the rehabilitation and care of war veterans. The rest of the funding, EUR 277.6 million, will be distributed to 755 health and social welfare organisations for 1,556 individual causes. Later this spring, the government will decide how to distribute a further EUR 13.4 million in investment funding. The total sum given out as funding is nearly EUR 25 million higher than last year.

EUR per resident used on slot machines in 2011, top ten municipalities

Funding by municipality:
https://www.ray.fi/fi/jarjestot/avustustietokanta
For further details, please contact:
Communications Manager Miikka Kimari, miikka.kimari@ray.fi, tel. +358 50 522 2015

Related pictures:

https://www.ray.fi/fi/ray/aineistopankki