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Full citation
Grönroos, T., Hagfors, H., Kontto, J., Latvala, T. A., & Salonen, A. H. (2025). Trends in attitudes towards gambling among Finnish women and men: Cross-sectional population studies 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023. Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 42(2), 168–183. https://doi.org/10.1177/14550725251320729
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Region & Target Population
- Region: Finland
- Target population: Finnish residents aged 15–74, with special analytical focus here on the 18–29 group (closest to 18–25).
Study Design
Four nationally representative cross-sectional population surveys (2011, 2015, 2019, 2023). Special emphasis placed on tracking how emerging adults’ attitudes change across time.
Sample Characteristics (with emphasis on emerging adults)
Across the four survey waves:
- 2011: N = 4,484 (ages 15–74)
- 2015: N = 4,515
- 2019: N = 3,994
- 2023: N = 5,977
Within this, the 18–29 group (emerging adults) was fully represented across all four waves and weighted to population proportions.
Longitudinal Timeline & Waves
Four measurement points capturing emerging adults over 12 years:
- Wave 1: 2011 (emerging adults = 18–29)
- Wave 2: 2015
- Wave 3: 2019
- Wave 4: 2023
This allowed analysis of how young adults’ attitudes changed as gambling policy and public discourse evolved.
Measures Used
- ATGS-8 (Attitudes Toward Gambling Scale)
- Scores >24 = favorable
- Score 24 = neutral
- Scores <24 = unfavorable
- Demographics: gender + age groups including 18–29
This scale allowed clear tracking of whether young adults were more positive or more negative than older groups.
Research Questions (Reframed for Emerging Adults)
- How do 18–29-year-olds’ attitudes toward gambling compared to older adults?
- How did young adults’ attitudes shift from 2011 to 2023 within each gender?
Key Findings (Strong Emphasis on Ages 18–25/29)
- Young adults grew increasingly negative toward gambling.
- For women aged 18–29, attitudes became significantly more unfavorable from 2011 → 2023.
- For men aged 18–29, attitudes also became significantly more unfavorable over time.
- Contrast with older age groups
- Adults aged 45–74 became more favorable over time—even though still leaning negative.
- In 2023, only men aged 45–59 had overall favorable attitudes.
- Gender trends among emerging adults
- Young women (18–29): Strong and growing negative attitudes.
- Young men (18–29): More negative over time, despite men historically being more favorable.
Study Conclusion
Across 12 years of nationally representative data, Finnish emerging adults (18–29) show a clear and consistent shift toward more negative attitudes about gambling. Compared to older adults— whose views softened slightly—young adults have become more critical, less trusting, and more aware of gambling harms. This age group now represents the most unfavorable segment of the population, reflecting generational changes in exposure to online gambling, media debates, policy criticism, and heightened awareness of risk. Their attitudes differ sharply from older generations, who showed gradual increases in favorability. Finnish attitudes remain critical of gambling despite declines in gambling participation and regulatory changes. As Finland transitions from a state monopoly to a licensing system in 2026, monitoring attitudinal trends will be essential to understanding how exposure, marketing, and availability shape public perceptions and harm trajectories.
