The Ministry of Interior has submitted legislative draft legislation for a new gambling law in Finland. The proposal is part of the government's wide-ranging reforms aimed at ending Veikkaus Oy's monopoly on betting, online slots and casino games - opening up these areas to competition through a licensing system.
Currently, Veikkaus Oy has the exclusive rights to offer gambling games in Finland. However, a large amount of online gambling activity does not fall under this monopoly, with businesses operating outside of state regulation and oversight.
Therefore, the new legislation seeks to regulate these activities by allowing gambling companies to apply for a license from the Finnish regulator, aiming to reduce the harm associated with gambling and bring demand into a regulated framework.
Under the proposed system, certain games would remain under exclusive licenses, maintaining Veikkaus Oy's monopoly in verticals such as lottery games and scratch cards.
The new competitive market and Veikkaus Oy's monopoly business will be managed by separate entities within the same group. The government will decide annually how much compensation Veikkaus Oy will pay for its exclusive license.
The draft bill also proposes major changes to gambling regulation.
A new Finnish watchdog will take over the National Police, gaining wide-ranging enforcement powers - including the ability to impose fines, revoke licences and use online banning and payment blocking to prevent unlicensed gambling activity.
In addition, the bill would establish strict rules for the advertising and marketing of gambling games, aimed at ensuring moderation and preventing the targeting of minors or vulnerable groups.
As part of these safer gambling measures, the legislation would also establish a central register of self-gambling bans and require gamblers to register and undergo identity verification.
The proposed reforms include a phased implementation plan, with gambling license applications expected to begin in early 2026, with licensed operations likely to begin in early 2027.
