Finland To Allow Open Gambling Market In 2026

Finland’s gambling industry is to undergo a major transformation, as the Ministry of the Interior has unveiled a draft bill aimed at partially dissolving the long-standing monopoly of the state-owned company, Veikkaus.

The proposed legislation would put an end to Veikkaus’ exclusive hold on certain gambling activities, such as betting and online casino games. This shift towards a licensing system will open the doors for other operators to enter the Finnish market, providing consumers with a wider range of options and potentially driving industry advancements.

While the monopoly will be dismantled in specific sectors, Veikkaus will continue to maintain its dominance in lottery games and scratch cards, ensuring the company’s continued relevance in the evolving gambling ecosystem.

The new licensing system, as outlined in the government program, is designed to prevent and mitigate gambling-related harm while channeling demand towards the regulated market. Prospective operators will need to acquire the necessary licenses, including a gambling license or an exclusive license, as well as a game software license, from a supervisory authority under the Ministry of Finance.

The Ministry of the Interior has acknowledged the significant presence of unregulated online gambling in Finland, with Finns spending an estimated 500 million euros annually on the games of foreign providers. The proposed legislation aims to address this issue by implementing measures such as network barring and payment blocking to restrict the provision and marketing of gambling activities outside the licensing system.

The draft bill also introduces provisions to enhance responsible gambling practices, including age limits, registration and verification requirements for gamblers, as well as restrictions on the marketing and sponsorship of gambling activities. The marketing of gambling services will be subject to moderation in terms of scope, visibility, and repetitiveness, and will be prohibited from targeting minors or other vulnerable population groups.

The new regulatory framework is set to be implemented gradually, with the application window for licenses opening in 2026 and the provision of licensed games commencing in 2027. During this transition period, Veikkaus will retain its current monopoly until the end of 2026, allowing the company to adapt to the changing landscape.