Regulation

Finland gambling regulation

A structured guide to Finland's incoming licensing regime — built for operators, suppliers, lawyers and policy teams.

Transition timeline

Veikkaus monopoly until 30 Jun 2027 · Licensed market opens 1 Jul 2027

1 Jan 2017
Veikkaus Monopoly Era
State-owned Veikkaus Oy holds the exclusive right to organise online betting, casino, slots and lotteries under Section 11 of the Lottery Act.
15 Apr 2024
Reform Proposal Published
Finnish government announces plan to partially end the Veikkaus monopoly and move to a multi-licence regime for online betting, casino, slots and bingo.
1 Mar 2025
Draft Gambling Act to Parliament
Draft of the new Gambling Act submitted to Parliament, setting out licensing categories, AML, marketing and technical rules.
1 Mar 2026
Gambling Act Enacted
Parliament passes the Gambling Act; Sections 5–6 and licence application provisions enter into force on 1 March 2026.
1 Mar 2026
B2C Licence Applications Open
Operators may apply to the National Police Board for online betting, online casino, online slot machine and online bingo licences (Section 6, Gambling Act).
1 Jul 2027
B2C Market Launch
Veikkaus online monopoly partially ends. Licensed operators may begin offering betting, casino, slots and bingo to Finnish customers (Section 6, Gambling Act; Section 11, Lottery Act repealed for these verticals).
1 Jul 2027
B2B Supplier Licence Window Opens
Gambling software providers may apply for a supplier licence covering manufacture, delivery, installation and adaptation of gaming software (Section 7, Gambling Act).
1 Jul 2028
Mandatory B2B Supplier Licensing
Licensed operators may only use software from licensed suppliers, and licensed suppliers may only serve licensed operators (Section 33, Gambling Act).

AML & Source of Funds

Finland’s gambling operators must adhere to strict anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) laws, supervised by the National Police Board. This involves conducting risk-based customer due diligence, including verifying identity and source of funds. Currently binding on the monopoly operator Veikkaus, these requirements will extend to all licensed betting and online casino operators from 1 July 2027. Operators must report any suspicious activity to the Financial Intelligence Unit without delay.

Data Protection (GDPR) for Gambling

Gambling operators in Finland are data controllers under the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The Office of the Data Protection Ombudsman is the supervisory authority responsible for enforcement. Operators have significant obligations, including conducting impact assessments for player profiling and providing secure data access for regulatory supervision. These rules apply to the current monopoly operator, Veikkaus, and will extend to all private licensees when the competitive market opens for online betting and casino games on 1 July 2027.

Finland Gambling Licensing

Finland is transitioning from a state monopoly to a partial licensing system for online gambling. Effective 1 July 2027, the National Police Board will issue licences for online betting and casino games. Applications opened on 1 March 2026. The state-owned operator, Veikkaus Oy, will retain its exclusive right to lotteries and land-based gambling. This reform aims to open the market to competition while enhancing channelisation and responsible gaming oversight.

Gambling Taxation in Finland

In Finland, gambling winnings from EU/EEA licensed operators are tax-free for players, while non-EU/EEA winnings are taxable. Finland's new licensed market opening in 2027 will primarily tax operators on GGR, not players on winnings.

Marketing Rules

Finland's gambling marketing is strictly regulated by the National Police Board to prevent gambling-related harm. Until 30 June 2027, Veikkaus Oy holds an exclusive right to advertise gambling in mainland Finland. From 1 July 2027, a licensed market will open for online betting and casino, but all marketing must adhere to stringent rules on content, targeting, and promotions. These rules prohibit targeting minors, presenting gambling as a financial solution, and place limits on bonuses and direct marketing.

Player Information & Mandatory Disclosures

Finland's Gambling Act requires licensed operators to provide clear and accessible information to players. This includes licence details, game rules and odds, and responsible gambling tools. From 1 July 2027, all licensed online gambling operators must display these mandatory disclosures, creating a transparent and regulated environment for players. Until then, these rules apply to the state operator, Veikkaus Oy, under the supervision of the National Police Board, which will also oversee the future licensed market.

Reporting Requirements

Finland's new gambling licensing system, effective from 1 July 2027, introduces a comprehensive reporting framework for operators. Licence holders must submit detailed annual reports to the National Police Board covering financial performance, marketing, responsible gambling, and AML measures. The regime also requires ongoing notifications for amendments, policy updates, and data breaches, ensuring a high level of regulatory oversight. Public claims must align with officially reported data, enforcing transparency and accountability for all licensed operators in the market.

Responsible Gambling Requirements

Finland's responsible gambling framework is built on mandatory player identification, an 18-year age limit, and compulsory limits on play. A national self-exclusion register, supervised by the National Police Board, allows players to block access to all legal gambling. Operators have a duty of care to monitor for harmful behaviour and intervene. These measures, currently applied by Veikkaus, will extend to all licensed operators when the new market opens on 1 July 2027, strengthening player protection across the board.

Technical Standards

Finland's restructured gambling market, launching 1 July 2027, imposes strict technical standards on licensed operators. Compliance requires integration with state supervisory systems, including a regulatory data vault for the National Police Board. It also sets rules for game parameters like RTP and mandates separate licences for B2B technology suppliers starting 1 July 2028. Ongoing technical audits and monitoring are central to the new regulatory framework, ensuring operational integrity and player protection across the licensed market.