Key Moments:
- Sports organizations have warned that moving away from the Veikkaus monopoly increases the risk of match-fixing and manipulation in Finnish sports.
- The Constitutional Committee has raised concerns about vague legislation, especially regarding advertising terms and taxation rules for professional gamblers.
- The number of sports betting integrity alerts in Finland grew from fewer than 20 in 2022 to 71 in 2024, according to FINCIS.
Market Reform and Legislative Challenges
Finnish sports authorities have raised serious concerns. As lawmakers continue developing the new gambling framework, tensions around ending Veikkaus’ monopoly have grown. The impending reform would split Veikkaus into two entities. One would focus on lottery and land-based gambling and retain its monopoly. Meanwhile, the second entity would compete in the online gambling market. The overhaul was proposed in March 2025 and is expected to gain approval later this year. If that happens, Finland’s online market would open to competition in 2027.
However, the Constitutional Committee has challenged several parts of the bill. They argue that some sections are overly vague and may infringe on constitutionally protected freedoms, including business rights and expression. “Moderate advertising” lacks clear definition in the legislation, fueling concern about ambiguous enforcement. The Committee also suggested removing Section 52(1)(15) for its broad wording and practical challenges. The Committee also warned that new tax rules targeting professional gamblers’ winnings from non-licensed operators may violate constitutional bans on confiscatory taxation.
Spiking Integrity Alerts and Scandal in Finnish Sports
Growing vulnerabilities in sports integrity have been highlighted by a notable increase in alerts. Data from the Finnish Centre for Integrity in Sports (FINCIS) revealed that alerts for suspicious betting activities rose from fewer than 20 in 2022 to over 60 in 2023, and again to 71 in 2024.
A serious incident involving the F-League, Finland’s leading men’s floorball competition, has brought these concerns into sharper focus. An investigation began in December 2024 after officials detected gambling violations. The probe followed suspicious betting activity that surfaced after a Finland–Norway World Championship match. The case centers on the use of insider information for betting purposes, with several players, coaches, and staff currently being investigated. FINCIS stated that it is unclear if the accused operated alone or as part of a wider betting network.
Main Areas of Vulnerability and Calls for Action
Sports including football, ice hockey, and horse racing are seen as particularly vulnerable as Finland prepares to liberalize its gambling market. Existing integrity protocols are viewed as being primarily anti-doping centered, lacking sufficient measures to deal with betting manipulation. Authorities have called for a legal definition of sports fraud, enhanced funding for monitoring, and formal recognition of FINCIS as the national authority for sports integrity. Plans are being proposed for a national oversight strategy when the gambling monopoly officially ends.
Comparisons with Other European Models
Similar regulatory pathways taken by other countries have been mentioned as possible guides. In 2019, Sweden adopted a multi-licence system and banned betting on youth competitions. Germany forbids bookmakers from offering wagers on amateur sports.
Outlook for Reform Implementation
Despite these concerns, specialists believe that revisions and clarifications proposed by the Constitutional Committee will help the new regulatory framework be enacted. Clearer definitions regarding advertising practices, tax policy, and market boundaries are seen as critical to ensuring that liberalization does not undermine the integrity of Finnish athletics.
| Year | FINCIS Integrity Alerts |
|---|---|
| 2022 | <20 |
| 2023 | >60 |
| 2024 | 71 |
- Author
Daniel Williams
