Finland’s Parliament received a bill that will shatter decades of state control over the country’s gambling market. The Finnish government submitted legislation that terminates the current monopoly on online betting and digital casino games. Private operators could enter the Finnish market by 2027 under this landmark reform, which replaces the restrictive monopoly system with a new licensing model.
Finland Ends Veikkaus Monopoly on Online Gambling
Parliament will vote on historic legislation that dismantles Veikkaus’ grip on key segments of Finland’s gambling market. The government submitted a bill in March 2025 proposing to end Veikkaus’ exclusive rights to online betting and digital casino games by the end of 2026. Decades of strict state-controlled gambling are coming to an end.
The monopoly system simply stopped working effectively. The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority found that substantial market leakage prompted calls for legislative change to redirect gambling activities toward regulated channels. Money was flowing out of the regulated system at an alarming rate.
The Ministry of the Interior began drafting reform proposals back in October 2023. The licensing system rolls out in two stages: B2C licenses for operators start in 2026, followed by B2B licenses for software providers in 2027.
Government Introduces Licensing Model for Online Casino Finland
Gambling companies like the ones you find at Kasinoranking can apply to the Finnish Supervisory Agency for two distinct license types: gambling game licenses and gambling software licenses. Fixed-odds betting, pari-mutuel betting, online casino games, online e-bingo, and online slots will move to competitive licensing. Veikkaus keeps its grip on lotteries, pools, totalizator betting, physical slot machines, and casino games.
Licensed operators will pay a 22% gross gaming revenue tax plus an annual supervision fee between €4,000 and €400,000. The licenses run for a maximum of five years, creating regular renewal cycles that keep operators accountable.
Here’s how the rollout unfolds:
- License applications open in January 2026
- Licensed gambling operations commence in January 2027
- B2B software licensing begins in early 2027
- Mandatory licensing for all game software suppliers takes effect in 2028
Applicants must meet strict fitness and propriety standards plus general requirements from the Finnish Enterprise Act. Only reputable operators will gain market access under these criteria.
New Gambling Regulations Impose Strict Compliance Rules
The regulatory authority will wield significant enforcement powers, including prohibition orders, administrative penalties reaching up to 4% of annual turnover, and conditional fines for violations. Finland’s approach to player protection goes well beyond basic licensing requirements.
Licensed operators face a web of mandatory compliance measures. ID authentication becomes non-negotiable, along with pre-set deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and payment restrictions. Behavioral monitoring systems must identify problematic gambling patterns and trigger timely interventions when risky play surfaces.
Marketing faces particularly harsh restrictions under Finland’s new framework. Advertising to minors gets banned outright, influencer marketing disappears entirely, and bonus-driven promotions face severe limits. Interactive marketing, such as two-way social media conversations, becomes forbidden territory, and operators can’t even react to user comments with emojis. All marketing must stay moderate in volume, scope, visibility, and frequency.Â
Additionally, gambling bonuses disappear under the new rules. No-deposit bonuses, campaign bonuses, free spins, and free game money are all prohibited.
Finland Establishes New Supervisory Authority for iGaming
Finnish gambling oversight will get a complete makeover with a dedicated regulatory body taking charge. The Finnish government proposed creating a new Licensing and Supervision Authority that will replace the National Police Board as the gambling regulator beginning in 2027.
Finland’s gaming market will never look the same again. The proposed changes end decades of monopoly control while creating a new path forward that acknowledges what’s already happening on the ground. It will either channel betting money back into legal channels or create new problems the government hasn’t anticipated yet.
The post Finland Breaks Casino Monopoly With New Gambling Regulations appeared first on WhatIfGaming.
This is an interesting development for Finland’s gambling landscape. It will be fascinating to see how these new regulations impact the industry and consumers alike. Change can bring both challenges and opportunities!