People who want to engage in online gambling in Finland need to understand the current legal framework. Several legislative changes have taken place since the establishment of the Finnish Lotteries Act. While Veikkaus Oy is the state monopoly that regulates gambling, the legal system is expected to undergo significant changes from the beginning of 2026. We will discuss Finland's gambling history, regulation, and gaming options in this guide.
The key facts about Finland’s gambling market include the following:
According to data from Statista, revenue from the gaming market is expected to grow, and many players will start gambling online as the country introduces reforms to switch from a state monopoly and open the market to other operators by the year 2027.
Gambling activities in Finland are regulated by the Ministry of the Interior and the Gambling Administration of the National Police Board (Arpajaishallinto in Finnish).
Under the Finnish Lotteries Act (1047/2001), Veikkaus Oy is the only state-owned operator allowed to offer gambling services at land-based and online casinos.
This monopoly is poised to end by 2027/28 after the issuance of business-to-customer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) licences.
The autonomous region of Finland, the Åland Islands, has an independent government, and Penningautomatförening (“PAF”) is responsible for regulating gambling there, just like Veikkaus.
Finland has a regulated gaming market with strict gambling laws and regulations in place to protect gamblers. Here are the important facts to keep in mind:
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Many significant legislative changes shaping the Finnish gambling market have taken place over the years, aiming to provide a well-defined legal framework and reduce harm. Below, we will explore existing laws and their implications.
The gambling industry in Finland operates under strict regulations and is expected to experience tremendous growth. Below, we have provided key insights regarding regulation, popular gambling options, and the market.
For online operators to offer gambling and betting services, they must obtain a licence from the authorities. However, there are no locally-issued licences in Finland because of the country’s monopoly system. Veikkaus is the state-owned company with exclusive rights to offer gambling services to players in mainland Finland. Due to this limitation, many gamblers prefer visiting offshore casinos with licences in the following jurisdictions.
Offshore operators can choose from several licensors, and it is important to evaluate the benefits of choosing a particular regulator. Here is our comparison of trusted gambling licence issuers based in different countries.
| Licence | Accepted in Finland | Safety and Responsibility | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) | Yes | Strict laws and player protection measures | Extremely popular and reliable |
| Curacao eGaming | Sometimes | More lenient gambling laws | Good |
| Estonian Tax and Customs Board | Yes | EEA-compliant safety measures and strict regulations | Very reliable |
The most common types of gambling in Finland are online casino games and sports betting. Recent data from the Finnish Sports Betting Study 2025 shows that active bettors overwhelmingly prefer EU/EEA-licensed platforms, with 100% of respondents using tax-free Malta, Estonia, or Åland/Finnish licences. The market is dominated by Epicbet, Paf, and Unibet, which collectively account for 67.5% of all preferences, while Veikkaus is the primary platform for only 3.96% of active bettors. Malta holds the largest licence share (50.62%), followed by Estonia (22.92%) and Åland (22.50%).
On the other hand, popular casino game options among Finnish players include slots, bingo, poker, roulette, and blackjack. Pay N Play casinos powered by Trustly are also widely available, enabling fast deposits and withdrawals without the need for lengthy registration or verification processes.
These findings form an important baseline ahead of Finland’s 2026–2027 licensing transition, providing valuable insight into how player behaviour may shift once locally licensed operators enter the market.
Banks and many major payment processors in Finland do not support gambling payments. This is because online gaming is a high-risk investment. For instance, the risks of chargebacks and fraudulent activities are high. Due to these factors, e-wallets are the most common payment methods accepted by gambling operators. The top options include the following:
A good gambling platform usually offers incentives known as bonuses or promotions to attract new players and retain existing customers. Veikkaus is prohibited from offering free spins or free bets, but these and other bonuses are popular at offshore casinos and sportsbooks.
Most bonuses have wagering requirements and other T&Cs that players must read and understand before claiming.
Gamblers in Finland should always prioritise their safety and choose licensed and regulated sites for the best gaming experience.
Under the current gambling laws in Finland, the National Police Board is required to supervise Veikkaus to ensure compliance with the AML Act.
Cagla Taskin
Editor on
Gambling is supposed to be an entertaining activity for all people in Finland and other countries. Gamblers must embrace the following responsible gaming practices to play safely.
Set Deposit Limits
Limit the amount of money you deposit to the online casino and use to place real money bets.
Limit Time Spent
Set time limits to prevent addiction and avoid spending too much time on gambling activities.
Avoid Chasing Losses
Take breaks when on a losing streak to avoid losing more money to the casino or sportsbook.
Players from Finland have access to helpful resources to prevent and deal with gambling-related harms. They should consider the following options.
Gamblers can use the responsible gaming tools provided by the operator. These include deposit limits, bet limits, breaks, and self-exclusion.
Veikkaus is responsible for introducing self-exclusion measures to protect players. This option allows gamblers who are unable to control harmful habits to be excluded from gambling sites.
Veikkaus is required to notify players of the adverse effects of gambling. Moreover, players can get more information from the Ministry of the Interior and the Gambling Administration of the National Police Board.
Finland’s initiative to reform the current monopoly by Veikkaus is expected to open the market to new operators who will be allowed to obtain B2C licences by 2027-28.
With the new changes to gambling laws and regulations, more gambling sites will emerge, making legal gaming services more accessible in Finland.
Many countries in Europe offer a gambling-friendly environment for casino game enthusiasts and sports bettors. Learn more about the European online gambling market and explore gaming laws, game options, and payment methods for real money players.
The gambling market in Finland is gradually growing, thanks to previous and recent efforts to reform legislation and allow more operators to enter the market. With the enactment of new laws, the monopoly system of regulation will end and pave the way for more companies to acquire licences and offer legal gambling services to locals.
Gaming options for players in Finland include sports betting, bingo, and games like roulette, poker, online slots, and blackjack.
Online casinos and sportsbooks are safe to join if they operate legally under a valid gaming licence issued by the authorities.
The Ministry of the Interior and the Gambling Administration of the National Police Board (“Arpajaishallinto”) are responsible for regulating gambling in Finland.
