Finns are among the most enthusiastic about their slot machines in Europe, but there are wide regional differences in levels of gambling. Our interactive map, which uses data from the state slot machine company RAY, shows exactly where people play the most.

Finns are exceptionally enthusiastic about gambling. In the first six months of this year they spent an average of 61 euros per session on slot machines, which is around 50 cents more than during the same period last year.

Virolahti spends the most per capita on RAY games, with more than a hundred euros spent per resident in Pertunmaa, Firssa, Kyyjärvi, Utsjoki and Alavus. The National Institute for Health and Welfare’s (THL) survey found that 78 percent of 15-74-year-olds have played some kind of gambling game in the last year, while 46 percent of them play at least once a week.

“Gambling is at quite a high level just now,” says THL’s expert Antti Murto. “Although the number of players has not increased in recent years, the amount of money people spend is rising all the time.”

According to Murto it is a matter of concern if the same income is derived from an ever decreasing pool of customers for slot machines. If gambling and slot games are not a universal pastime, but proceeds are still on the rise, then it may indicate problem gambling. Finns gamble more than people in other Nordic countries, and on a European level gamble more than any other nation except Italians.