Reform of the gambling system

The Ministry of the Interior has prepared a legislative proposal on a new gambling system. The government proposal (HE 16/2025 vp) was submitted to Parliament in March 2025. According to the proposal, the running of betting games, online slot and casino games, and online money bingo will be opened to competition under a licensing system. Parliament adopted the new Gambling Act and the related acts on 16 December 2025. The President of the Republic approved the acts on 16 January 2026. The legislative reform is based on the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's Government.

As set out in the Government Programme, the aim of the reform is to prevent and reduce the harm resulting from gambling and to improve the channelling rate of the gambling system. The channelling rate refers to the amount of gambling that takes place using services regulated by national legislation and supervised by the national authorities.

Veikkaus Oy will retain the monopoly on lottery-type games, scratch cards, and physical slot machines and casino games. Many European countries, including Denmark and Sweden, have already introduced a similar gambling system combining a monopoly and a competitive market approach.

Gambling companies can apply for licences from the National Police Board starting 1 March 2026 and the provision of licensed gambling services can begin on 1 July 2027. The licensing and supervision duties under the Gambling Act will be carried out by the Finnish Supervisory Authority as of 1 July 2027. 

Veikkaus Oy will have a monopoly on providing gambling services until the end of June 2027. During this period, no other company may run or market gambling games.

The new Gambling Act will provide several methods to prevent, detect and address misuse and offences associated with gambling services. Gambling services are also subject to the requirements laid down in the money laundering legislation.

Under the new Gambling Act, the marketing of gambling games is permitted subject to the restrictions laid down in the act. The Gambling Act includes provisions on prohibited marketing tools and methods, information to be provided in marketing, sponsorships, and bans on direct marketing. 

Project status and next steps

The term of the project began on 24 October 2023. The government proposal (HE 16/2025 vp) was submitted to Parliament on 20 March 2025. Parliament adopted the new Gambling Act and the related acts on 16 December 2025. The President of the Republic approved the acts on 16 January 2026. The term of the project has been extended until 28 February 2027. During that period, the government decrees and the decrees of the Ministry of the Interior that fall within the remit of the Ministry of the Interior and concern the running of gambling games will be prepared. Based on the assessment carried out in the project, these decrees should be issued as part of the new legislation on the gambling system.

The draft government proposal was circulated for comments between 3 July and 18 August 2024.
Lausuntopalvelu.fi (service for online consultation)

The project organised a broad-based consultation event for stakeholders on 28 November 2023.