The government of Finland has received parliamentary approval to enact changes to gambling laws and monopoly protections, aiming to launch a new regulatory framework for gambling in 2027.
The authorisation from the Eduskunta, Finland’s Parliament, confirms the government’s plan to end Veikkaus Oy’s monopoly on online gambling and sports betting activities.
The mandate to overhaul Finland’s gambling laws was initiated in October 2023 by the Ministry of the Interior, which endorsed proposals to introduce a new licensing system for online gambling, thereby ending Veikkaus Oy’s exclusive privileges.
Since 2017, Veikkaus Oy has held exclusive rights to all gambling activities in Finland after the government consolidated the monopolies of RAY (slot machines) and Fintoto (sports wagering and pools) under Veikkaus Oy’s control.
Under the new framework, Veikkaus Oy will retain exclusive management of Finland’s national lottery draws and instant-win games. The state-owned firm will also maintain its operating contract for retail slot machines, arcades, and casinos, provided it meets the government’s requirement to reduce gambling venue capacities in Finnish towns and districts.
Finland’s state-backed operator has been broadly supportive of these changes, noting that the lack of competition has caused Finnish channelisation rates to fall well below target, with many bettors instead gambling with unlicensed overseas firms.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, of the centre-right National Coalition Party (NCP), believes reform is necessary to better protect players and ensure more comprehensive taxation of gaming revenue in Finland. If passed, the law will dissolve the monopoly in 2026.
The reform aims to increase the channelisation rate by guiding consumers toward licensed, regulated operators and reducing gambling-related harm. Currently, around 50% of Finnish online gambling expenditure goes to offshore operators, highlighting the need for legislative change, according to the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority.
A new licensing and supervisory body will be established in 2026 and will assume full regulatory control from the National Police Board by 2027. The new regulator will oversee compliance, enforce advertising restrictions, review technical standards, and implement harm prevention measures.
The bill also includes a ban on influencer marketing and prohibits outdoor advertising for high-risk games such as online slots. Operators will be allowed to promote their services only through their websites and social media platforms under strict guidelines.
The reform introduces unified self-exclusion, financial limits, and real-time loss tracking across all licensed operators.
The state will collect revenue through corporate taxes and licence fees. Veikkaus will continue to provide dividends to the state and apply for exclusive rights to the products it retains.
If Parliament approves the forthcoming changes, the government could start accepting online gambling licence applications in 2026.
