Gambling legislation helps to prevent and reduce gambling-related harm

In Finland, gambling games are run by the state-owned company Veikkaus Oy. 

The state monopoly is considered the best way to combat economic, social and health-related harm resulting from gambling and to prevent misuse.

According to the Government Programme, the Government will reform the gambling system and open it to competition using a licence model by 1 January 2026 at the latest. The aim of the reform is to prevent and reduce economic, social and health-related harm resulting from gambling and to improve the channelling rate of the gambling system.

Proceeds from gambling games have traditionally been used to support non-profit activities. From the beginning of 2024, Veikkaus Oy’s proceeds will no longer have specific uses but they will be allocated for paying any items of expenditure in the Budget.

Lotteries Act regulates gambling

In Finland, gambling is regulated by the Lotteries Act. The purpose of the Lotteries Act is to

  • ensure the legal protection of players
  • prevent misuse and crime
  • reduce the economic, social and health-related harm resulting from gambling.

Provisions on the rules of play for gambling games are laid down by decree of the Ministry of the Interior. A government decree regulates the winnings paid to players, rounding off winnings, the maximum number of slot machines, casino games and specific game rooms, and the number of casinos, their locations and opening hours.

The National Police Board supervises the running of gambling games and their marketing.

Gambling is for adults only and requires identification

Minors may not play gambling games and such games are not sold on credit. The Lotteries Act stipulates a minimum age of 18 for playing gambling games, in order to protect minors from gambling-related harm. Restrictions on the management of online gambling games are laid down by decree of the Ministry of the Interior. 

When gambling, players need to identify themselves and register as customers of Veikkaus Oy. 
Veikkaus Oy requires registration to ensure the identification of players.  Compulsory identification enables the authorities, Veikkaus Oy or players themselves to impose restrictions on gambling. Players can also exclude themselves from gambling and monitor data on their gambling consumption.   

In addition to Veikkaus Oy, establishments providing space for slot machines — such as shops and kiosks — must monitor compliance with the age limit. Negligence in monitoring compliance with the age limit may lead to criminal liability.

Restrictions in gambling marketing

Marketing of gambling may not be targeted at minors or otherwise vulnerable persons, and marketing may not be used to attribute a positive image to heavy and frequent gambling. Neither may marketing portray gambling as an everyday activity or present gambling as a solution to a person's financial problems. The Lotteries Act also contains provisions on other prohibited marketing methods. 

Veikkaus Oy may promote gambling games and the company through marketing if the marketing is moderate in quantity, scope, visibility and recurrence, and necessary to direct gambling demand towards the provision of gambling services laid down in the Lotteries Act and to gambling that causes less harm.

The marketing of games associated with a clear risk of negative effects, such as slot machines and casino games, is prohibited in places other than the specific game rooms and casinos where the games are located. Despite the prohibition on marketing, information may be provided about the locations of these games.

Marketing of gambling games other than those run by Veikkaus Oy is prohibited. The National Police Board may prohibit marketing that violates the Lotteries Act and impose a conditional fine to reinforce the prohibition. A penalty payment may be imposed for marketing that violates the Lotteries Act and it may also be imposed on a private person. Furthermore, payment blocks may be imposed on gambling operators that are not in the exclusive rights system and that engage in marketing that violates the Lotteries Act.  

Inquiries

Jukka Tukia, Ministerial Adviser
Ministry of the Interior, Police Department, Legislative Affairs
+358 295 488 573, [email protected] 

Elina Rydman, Ministerial Adviser
Ministry of the Interior, Police Department, Legislative Affairs
+358 295 488 586, [email protected]