Key Moments:
- President Alexander Stubb signed the Gambling Act reform package into law on January 16, 2026.
- Gambling companies can begin applying for licences on March 1, 2026.
- The competitive online gambling market is scheduled to launch on July 1, 2027.
Legislative Changes Reshape Finnish Gambling Landscape
Finland’s Gambling Act officially became law after President Alexander Stubb signed the reform package on January 16, 2026. This marks a major shift in Finland’s online gambling structure, as the country moves away from a single-operator system and toward a licensing model. Importantly, key provisions will take effect from July 1, 2027, while 2026 and early 2027 will focus on setting up application processes, regulatory supervision, and compliance frameworks.
Transition from Monopoly to Competitive Market
Under the new legislation, Veikkaus Oy will give up its monopoly on betting, online slots, online casino games, and online money bingo. Instead, these segments will open to licensed competition. However, Veikkaus will continue to control lottery products, scratch cards, and physical slot machines and casino games after the reforms take effect. This structure supports the Ministry of the Interior’s goal to shift more gambling activity into the regulated market and strengthen player protections.
Key Dates and Regulatory Process
One key date for industry stakeholders is March 1, 2026, when operators can start submitting licence applications to the National Police Board, which will oversee the process during the transition. Meanwhile, Veikkaus will keep its monopoly under police-board supervision until June 30, 2027. Then, from July 1, 2027, the market will open to competition, and the Finnish Supervisory Agency will take over supervision, licensing, and gambling software approvals. Finally, starting July 1, 2028, only licensed gambling software providers will be permitted for use by all operators.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 16, 2026 | Gambling Act signed into law |
| March 1, 2026 | Licence applications open |
| July 1, 2027 | Competitive market launches; supervision shifts to Finnish Supervisory Agency |
| July 1, 2028 | Mandatory use of licensed gambling software providers |
Robust Player Protection Measures
The new legal framework emphasizes identification and responsible gambling controls. Mandatory ID checks will apply to all gambling forms, with strong age verification during player registration (the age limit remains 18). In addition, operators must enforce daily and monthly deposit limits. Moreover, Finland will introduce a unified self-exclusion system that applies across all licence holders, allowing players to self-exclude with one process.
The Act also restricts inducements by broadly banning gambling on credit, free games, and aggressive discounts. However, bonus play will still be allowed under clearly specified conditions.
- Author
Daniel Williams
