Key Moments:
- The Constitutional Committee has requested amendments to the proposed Gambling Act, citing concerns over vague language and constitutional rights.
- Advertising regulations and taxation rules for professional gamblers have been identified as critical issues needing further clarification.
- The bill’s feedback is not expected to result in major delays, with market liberalization still planned for 2027.
Legislative Review Puts Gambling Reform on Pause
Finland’s Parliament hit pause on gambling reform when its Constitutional Committee demanded clearer wording in the new Gambling Act. Lawmakers introduced the bill in March 2025 to end Veikkaus’ monopoly and create a multi-operator licensing system by 2027. However, lawmakers signaled that the current draft leaves too much open to interpretation, especially regarding rights protected under the constitution.
Advertising and Tax Provisions Under Scrutiny
A notable area of concern centers on advertising rules. The committee criticized the use of the term “moderate advertising” for its lack of specificity and called for a clearer definition. In addition, Section 52(1)(15) was singled out as overly broad and possibly difficult to enforce, with recommendations for its removal. Professional gambling taxation was another point of contention, with the proposed approach flagged for potentially breaching the constitutional ban on excessive, confiscatory taxation—particularly in cases where taxes from non-licensed operator winnings could outweigh the actual amounts won.
Steps Toward a Competitive Gambling Market
These prospective changes come amid Finland’s broader modernization efforts. Since October 2023, industry associations have expressed support for the shift to a multi-license model, and in November 2024, horse racing was officially incorporated into the new system, enlarging opportunities for licensed businesses. The legislation envisions splitting Veikkaus into two entities: one retaining a monopoly on lottery and land-based gambling, the other competing alongside private operators in the online space.
Despite the criticisms and the committee’s eight-page feedback, the timeline for regulatory change remains on track, and no significant delays are expected for the intended 2027 start. The Administrative Committee is set to finalize its report following the Constitutional Committee’s recommendations, after which the bill will advance to two parliamentary readings. Lawmakers anticipate legislative approval by late October or early November if the process continues without additional difficulties.
Industry Response and Next Steps
Moving toward market liberalization, competition has intensified, as evidenced by claims from ATG, a Swedish betting firm, that Veikkaus has attempted to preserve its market lead through anti-competitive strategies. Meanwhile, industry specialists predict that the clarified framework will provide operators with confidence and more definite boundaries for compliance.
Antti Koivula, Chief Compliance Officer at Hippos ATG, commented, “bring much-needed clarity to the marketing rules and help prevent any misinterpretation of what constitutes acceptable advertising.” He further observed that adjustments to taxation “protect professional sports bettors from excessive levies that could have made operating in Finland untenable,” and emphasized that the additional guidance allows operators to plan with a clearer understanding of the forthcoming regulations.
Timeline and Key Elements of the Proposed Gambling Reform
| Date/Event | Description |
|---|---|
| March 2025 | Proposed Gambling Act submitted, aiming for market liberalization |
| October 2023 | European Gaming & Betting Association voices support for de-monopolization |
| November 2024 | Inclusion of horse racing in the new licensing system |
| 2027 (planned) | Target implementation date for new multi-license market |
- Author
Daniel Williams
