Finland has formally published its new Gambling Act following President Alexander Stubb’s signing of the legislation on January 16. The draft bill, approved by the parliament in December, establishes new rules for gambling operations, supervision and enforcement. It aims to safeguard players, foster responsible gambling, and minimise gambling harm. The reform introduces a dual-licensing framework within which Veikkaus Oy retains a monopoly on specific gambling verticals, including lotteries. Meanwhile, online casino games, sports betting, and video slots are open to licensed operators.
Finland Prepares to Adopt New Gambling Act Following Presidential Assent: Highlights of the Story
- Finland published its new Gambling Act after President Alexander Stubb signed the bill on January 16. The law introduces a dual-licensing model that opens video slots, bingo, sports betting, and online casinos in Finland to competition while retaining exclusive state control over lotteries and land-based gambling.
- Veikkaus Oy will be split into two separate legal entities, complying with the EU’s competition law. While one unit will oversee land-based casino gambling and lotteries, the other entity will compete with licensed operators in the open market.
- The licence application window will open on March 1, 2026, and the competitive market is scheduled to launch on July 1, 2027. The Act enforces stricter marketing controls and establishes a dedicated Supervisory Agency to oversee compliance and enforcement.
Finland Adopts a Dual-Licensing Gambling Framework
Finland’s President, Alexander Stubb, signed the Gambling Act on Friday, January 16, fulfilling the government’s request to bring the market under a competitive regulatory framework. At its core is a dual-licensing system, which will see state-owned Veikkaus Oy being split into two legal entities to comply with the EU’s competition laws.
While one division of Veikkaus will retain control over lotteries and land-based casinos, the other entity will compete with licensed gambling operators, offering casino games, video slots, bingo, and sports betting. Potential licensees can apply for a permit from the National Police Department (NPD), which oversees compliance and enforcement.
The licence application window will open on March 1, 2026, and Veikkaus will remain the sole legal gambling operator until June 30, 2027. The competitive market will launch on July 1, 2027, marking the beginning of a new era for regulated online gambling in Finland. The preparations had begun several years ago, with the government ending Veikkaus’ monopoly in May 2025.
Finland’s Parliament backed the gambling reforms in mid-December, with 158 votes in favour of the draft gambling bill (HE 16/2025 vp). Lawmakers also announced two draft bills, focusing on the security and reliability of IT systems used in gambling, as well as ensuring the fairness of Random Number Generators (RNGs).
New Player Protection Measures and Marketing Restrictions Introduced
The Act introduces additional player protection measures, including mandatory player registration, identity verification, and personal gaming accounts to prevent minors from accessing online gambling sites. Players are also required to set daily and monthly transfer limits, while self-exclusion tools will be set up to protect players in the long run.
The new act limits the minimum age for gambling to 18 years. Operators will be responsible for verifying a player’s age while setting up their casino account. The legislation also restricts gambling on credit, advertisements targeting minors and vulnerable individuals, and aggressive promotions.
Campaigns portraying gambling as a solution to financial or social problems, or normalising excessive play, are prohibited. The government aims to foster a responsible gambling market while limiting harm. A National Supervisory Authority will be established to oversee licensing, compliance, and enforcement from July 1, 2027.
Meanwhile, the NPD will be responsible for discharging these duties. Failing to comply with the Gambling Act could result in financial sanctions for operators, amounting to 4% of turnover, capped at €5 million. Meanwhile, individuals may face financial penalties ranging from €3,000 to €40,000, depending on the nature of the violation.
Looking ahead, licensed operators must comply with further requirements from July 1, 2028, when they will be able to use gambling software from suppliers that hold a local licence. Its European neighbours will be closely watching Finland’s gambling reforms, as the market opens on July 1, 2027.