Lower-risk gambling in Finland by age and income between 2011 and 2019

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Author(s): Grönroos, Tanja ; Kontto, Jukka ; Young, Matthew M. ; Hodgins, David C.

Journal: Journal of Gambling Studies

Year Published: 2025

Date Added: August 07, 2025

The Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines (LRGGs) recommend three limits related to how much to spend, how frequent, and how many gambling types to reduce the risk of experiencing harms from gambling. The purpose of this study was to examine trends in lower-risk gambling by age and net income among the Finnish adult population. The researchers used data from the Finnish Gambling population studies in 2011, 2015, and 2019. Responses from 12,993 adult participants (18–74-year-olds) were analyzed. The researchers estimated the prevalence of lower-risk gambling by calculating how many participants gambled below all three limits proposed in the LRGGs.

Compared to 2011, more Finns engaged in lower-risk gambling in 2019. The prevalence of lower-risk gambling increased from 29% in 2011 to 39% in 2019. There was a higher prevalence of lower-risk gambling among women compared to men. Lower-risk gambling increased among 18–29-year-olds. Older people between 60 and 74 years old had the lowest prevalence of lower-risk gambling, especially with respect to the gambling spending limit. The lowest prevalence of lower-risk gambling for women was found among those with the lowest income.

Citation: Grönroos, T., Kontto, J., Young, M. M., Hodgins, D. C., & Salonen, A. H. (2025). Trends in lower-risk gambling by age and net income among Finnish men and women in 2011, 2015, and 2019. Journal of Gambling Studies, 41, 267–281. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-024-10355-x

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-024-10355-x

Keywords: gender ; low-risk gambling guidelines ; socioeconomic status

Topics: Priority Populations ; Socioeconomic Status

Conceptual Framework Factors: Cultural - Gender ; Environment - Low-Risk Limits ; Social - Social Demographics ; Gambling Environment ; Social Factors

Response Rate: 28–62%

Study Design: Secondary Data Analysis

Geographic Coverage: Finland

Study Population: Adults (18–74-year-olds) who spoke Finnish, Swedish, or Sámi as a first language and lived in Mainland Finland (n=12,993)

Sampling Procedure: Participant recruitment was carried out through random sampling from the Finnish National Population Information System. In 2011, data were collected by Taloustutkimus, a private market research company. In 2015 and 2019, data were collected by Statistics Finland. Computer-assisted telephone interviews for used for all surveys.

Study Funding:

The Finnish Gambling survey as well as the daily work of Tanja Grönroos, Jukka Kontto, and Anne H. Salonen were funded by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finland. Open Access funding provided by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.