Finland’s New Gambling Reform: What We Know So Far
After decades under the Veikkaus Oy monopoly, Finland is preparing to open its online gambling sector to licensed private operators from July 2027.
The reform affects a market estimated at €1.9 billion annually, but the commercial opportunity comes with significant regulatory obligations. In fact, the new licensing framework entails some of Europe’s strictest player-protection measures, with no autoplay options, limited stakes, and much more. Let’s have a closer look at what the gambling reform has in store for operators and affiliates alike.
Key Takeaways
- Finland will open its gambling market on July 1st, 2027, ending the last online gambling monopoly in the EU.
- A €1.9 billion market is opening up, but operators will face some of Europe’s toughest compliance rules.
- No autoplay, €10-€20 stake limits, and 15-minute reality checks will change slot gameplay.
- Around 50 operators have already applied for licences, despite the market still being a year away from launch.
- The biggest challenge is making sure your products are ready for day one.
Finland’s New Gambling Reform Explained
Finland is moving away from its long-standing monopoly model towards a licensing framework designed to balance competition with stronger consumer protection. Under the new Finland Gambling Act, private operators will be able to apply for licences to offer online betting and casino games.
At the same time, the government aims to channel more gambling activity into a regulated environment. Given an estimated 50% of the country’s market belonging to offshore operators, which translates to roughly €780m, the push is totally justified, to say the least.
The transition to the new scheme will take place in stages, with licence applications opening on 1 March 2026 and the competitive market scheduled to launch on July 1st, 2027.
More details on the reform are available on the Finnish Ministry of the Interior’s gambling reform project.
The reform also changes Veikkaus Oy’s role. While the state-owned operator will lose its exclusive rights to online betting and online casino games, it will retain monopoly rights over lotteries, scratch cards, land-based slot machines, and physical casino games. Also, Veikkaus will be free to compete alongside international operators in the newly regulated online market.
Why Finland Is Ending the Veikkaus Oy Monopoly
Finland is ending the Veikkaus Oy monopoly to channel more players towards licensed operators. The government concluded that a competitive, multi-licensing model is better equipped to address the growth of offshore gambling. In fact, Veikkaus’s market share dropped from 61% in 2024 to 36% in 2025, signalling a major cause for concern.
This move makes Finland the last EU member state to replace an exclusive online gambling monopoly with a regulated licensing system.
According to Olli Sarekoski, Veikkaus is investing in artificial intelligence and data-driven responsible gambling tools as it prepares for the transition to a multi-licence market.
“We see this as evidence that the reform is about more than opening the market; it is also an attempt to strengthen channelisation while maintaining high consumer protection standards.”
In our view, this shows that the reform is about more than just opening the market. It is also an attempt to strengthen channelisation while maintaining high consumer protection standards.
When Will Finland’s New Gambling Act Take Effect?
Finland’s gambling reform is being introduced in three stages:
| Date | What Happens |
| 1 March 2026 | Licence applications open, with the National Police Board overseeing the process. |
| July 1, 2027 | The new Gambling Act takes effect, licensed operators can launch, and the Finnish Supervisory Agency assumes regulatory oversight. Software licence applications are also open. |
| 1 July 2028 | Operators must use software supplied only by licensed gambling software providers. |
In our view, the staged implementation is one of the reform’s biggest strengths. It gives operators enough time to adapt their products, complete licensing requirements, and ensure full compliance before the market officially opens in July 2027.
The Biggest Challenge: The New Slot Rules
Opening the market is one thing; ensuring your games actually comply is another. The latest draft rules cover technical standards that could require operators and game studios to revisit parts of their existing portfolios before July 2027.
Among the most notable proposals are:
- No autoplay: Every spin must be initiated manually.
- Minimum spin duration: Spins must last at least 2.5 seconds, with no option to speed up the gameplay.
- Stake limits: Players aged 18-24 would be limited to €10 per spin, while players 25 and older could stake up to €20.
- Mandatory reality checks: Players would receive reminders every 15 minutes and be required to confirm they want to continue playing.
- Greater transparency: Games must clearly indicate when player choices do not influence random outcomes.
- Standardised prize claims: Operators would follow uniform deadlines for players to claim winnings.
- Mandatory RTP ranges: Slot machines and table games must offer an RTP between 70% and 99.9%.
- Loss limits: Physical slot play would be capped at €500 per day, €2,000 per month, and €24,000 per year.
- Land-based restrictions: The framework would allow 10,000 retail slot machines, 2,000 machines across gaming halls, a maximum of 60 gaming halls, and one casino in Helsinki operating between 12:00 and 04:00.
What stands out to us is that these proposals are designed to change the type of market Finland wants to create. The focus is clearly on long-term sustainability rather than instant growth.
Will Current Slot Games Be Compliant?
Not immediately, at least for many operators. Finland is requiring changes to several mechanics that have become standard across the industry. That means compliance will depend less on game design and more on how quickly studios can adapt their existing portfolios.
Kasinohai’s audit highlights the scale of the challenge:
- 91.84% of tested slots (45 out of 49) included autoplay.
- 398 live casino platforms supported automatic bet continuation.
- Both mechanics could be affected if the draft regulations remain unchanged.
- Age-based stake limits will require additional backend development and KYC integration.
These figures suggest the proposed rules reach far beyond a handful of titles. They affect features that many players (and operators) have come to expect.
That said, we don’t see this as a dealbreaker for the market. Large suppliers such as Evolution, Playtech, Pragmatic Play, and Light & Wonder already operate in highly regulated jurisdictions and have experience adapting products to local requirements.
Smaller studios, however, could face higher compliance costs, particularly if they need to redesign hundreds of games for a relatively small market.
Our view is that compliance will become a competitive advantage. Operators that invest early in meeting Finland’s technical requirements are likely to reach the market faster. At the same time, those waiting for the final regulations may find themselves racing to catch up before July 2027.
Applications Are Already Rushing In: Can the Market Handle It?
Since the licensing process opened on 1 March 2026, the National Police Board has received around 50 licence applications. All this despite the market not launching until July 2027.
That level of early demand clearly shows the commercial side of one of Europe’s last monopoly markets.
Now, for operators, obtaining a licence is only the first step. They’ll need to satisfy technical, EGBA responsible gambling guidelines, and compliance requirements before going live, alongside paying application and ongoing supervisory fees.
While Finland’s gambling market generates around €1.9 billion in annual gross gaming revenue, it is still relatively small compared to many regulated European jurisdictions.
We expect strong competition from day one.
Final Thoughts
Finland is opening its gambling market, but the standards are not easy to pass. The new licensing framework gives operators access to a valuable market while demanding higher levels of compliance, transparency, and player protection.
We believe this balanced approach gives Finland the best chance of attracting reputable operators and channelling players away from offshore sites. The operators who prepare now, rather than waiting for the final rules, will put themselves in the strongest position for July 2027.
