Finland will implement a new gambling law on July 1, 2027, to systematically reform the domestic gambling market. This reform breaks the long-standing state-operated monopoly model of Veikkaus Oy, introduces a licensing system, and injects competitive vitality into the market, especially targeting the online gambling sector — Finnish players have recently flocked to unregulated offshore platforms, leading to weak player protection and tax revenue loss. The new law establishes a dedicated regulatory authority, grants it broader enforcement powers, and strengthens harm prevention and player protection, promoting the return of gambling activities to a compliant framework. The Finnish gambling law compliance guide and license application details can be found on the PASA official website.
Regulatory System Overhaul: New Authority "Holds Real Power" for Enhanced Enforcement Efficiency
The core breakthrough of this reform is the reshaping of the regulatory framework, moving away from the past reliance on criminal law:
Establishment of a dedicated regulatory authority: The new authority is under the Licensing and Supervision Bureau (Lupa- ja valvontavirasto), replacing the National Police Board's gambling regulatory functions, with broader administrative powers;
More direct enforcement methods: The authority can take swift administrative actions against non-compliant operators, including imposing hefty fines, revoking licenses, and demanding the removal of illegal gambling content;
Domain blocking authority: For the first time, it has the power to remove non-compliant platforms from .fi domain registration, blocking illegal operations at the network level;
Industry expert opinion: Bonusetu CEO Tomi Korhonen frankly states, "The new authority is not just a manager, but a 'police' with the power to fine, block, and shut down. Compliance technology has become key to obtaining a license.";
Market Structure Transformation: Breaking the Monopoly and Opening Online Competition
The new law redefines market permissions, balancing the relationship between monopoly and competition:
Retention of some monopolies: Veikkaus will still exclusively hold the lottery, scratch cards, and physical slot machine businesses, maintaining stability in traditional gambling areas;
Opening competitive fields: Online betting, online casino games, and cash bingo will be open to licensed operators, ending the single-operator pattern;
Core goal: To increase the "guidance rate," bringing more gambling activities back to the regulated market, recovering tax revenue lost to offshore platforms, and improving service quality through competition.
Player Protection Upgrade: Identity Verification + Limit Management to Build a Strong Safety Line
The new law places player protection in a prominent position, introducing several mandatory measures:
Strict identity verification: All players must complete identity and age verification, "instant casinos" (pikakasinot) will implement KYC instant verification through bank ID technology, preventing underage gambling and money laundering;
Funds limit management: Players must set daily and monthly deposit limits to avoid excessive involvement;
Unified self-exclusion system: Establishing a unified self-exclusion platform, players can block all licensed operators with one click, achieving industry-wide collaborative protection;
Technical support: Identity verification technology will become the core of market integration, and operators not meeting standards will struggle to establish themselves.
Marketing and Penalty Regulations: Drawing Clear Lines, Rising Costs for Violations
The new law "gets serious" about gambling marketing practices while clearly defining strict penalty mechanisms:
Prohibited Marketing and Operating Practices
Strictly forbidden credit gambling, free games, and significant discount promotions;
Strictly limited conditions for the use of legal bonuses, curbing aggressive marketing tactics;
Eliminating inducive advertising, pushing industry marketing towards a responsible direction.
Implementation Timeline and Application Process
March 2026: Gambling companies can begin submitting license applications;
July 1, 2027: The new law officially takes effect, and the fully competitive market launches;
Transition period arrangements: Veikkaus will retain its monopoly rights during the transition period, supervised by the National Police Board, after which the new regulatory authority will take over all regulatory and licensing duties, including regulating gambling software providers.
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This article is from "PASA-Global iGaming Leader" gambling industry news channel:https://t.me/pasa_news
Original in-depth gambling channel:https://t.me/gamblingdeep
Free data reports: @pasa_research
PASA Matrix: @pasa002_bot
PASA official website: https://www.pasa.news
