Finland’s gambling reform tells a bigger story than just another market opening. The country waited longer than most to abandon its monopoly model, watching how Sweden and Denmark handled their transitions before crafting its own approach. The result is a more cautious entry into competitive gambling than we’ve seen elsewhere in Europe.
The new legislation changes everything. Starting July 1, 2027, qualified international operators can offer online betting, casino games, slots, and bingo services alongside Veikkaus. During this new construction, international gaming companies aren’t waiting around. They’re already assembling Finnish market teams, hiring local legal counsel, and crafting strategies for what promises to be a lucrative opportunity.
Finland Approves Licensing Reform to End Gambling Monopoly
On December 16, 2025, the Finnish Parliament members approved the new Gambling Act by a decisive 158-9 margin, officially ending the country’s decade long gambling monopoly. However, Veikkaus retains its exclusive grip on lotteries, scratch cards, and land-based casinos and slots. Everything else, such as online betting at nettikasinot, digital casino games, online slots, and bingo, becomes fair game for licensed competitors.
Finland joins Sweden and Denmark in this middle-ground approach. Both Nordic neighbors abandoned pure monopolies for similar hybrid models that balance state control with market competition. The Finnish system essentially follows their playbook, keeping traditional gambling forms under state control while allowing competition in digital spaces.
The legislation creates three distinct licensing categories. Veikkaus gets its exclusive license for monopoly segments. International operators can apply for gambling licenses covering betting and online casino products. B2B providers need separate gambling software licenses to supply technology and services.
Authorities Set Timeline for Licensing Launch In Finnish iGaming
The National Police Board takes charge of the licensing process until June 30, 2027, handling every application and regulatory decision during this transition period. After that handoff, the newly created Licensing and Supervision Authority becomes the permanent market watchdog.
License processing takes three to six months under normal circumstances, though incomplete applications face delays. Companies that secure licenses can operate for up to five years before renewal.
B2B providers get their own timeline. Software license applications don’t open until July 1, 2027, and mandatory licensed software requirements kick in exactly one year later on July 1, 2028. This staggered approach gives the market time to establish itself before demanding full supply chain compliance.
The regulatory handoff reflects Finland’s methodical approach to market opening. Rather than rushing into competition, authorities want proper oversight structures in place before operators start taking bets from Finnish players.
New Finnish Licensing System Imposes Strict Compliance Rules
The regulatory framework puts player protection front and center, with requirements that go far beyond what many operators face in other markets. Licensed operators must implement mandatory player identification, enforce deposit limits, and provide responsible gambling tools. The system essentially forces all operators, foreign and domestic, to meet the same standards for harm prevention.
Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen captured the balancing act perfectly: the reform aims to “find a regulatory solution balancing the regulation combating gambling harm with the willingness of gambling operators to apply for a license”. That careful equilibrium reflects Finland’s determination to maintain strong consumer protections even while opening its doors to competition.
The reform addresses a practical reality Finnish officials could no longer ignore. Finnish players were already spending roughly €600-900 million annually on offshore gambling websites. Rather than fight this trend, lawmakers decided to bring those foreign operators under Finnish rules and supervision.
Bonus abuse also gets eliminated entirely under the new rules. Free game credits can’t be tied to time spent playing or money wagered, while cryptocurrency transactions are banned completely from the gambling ecosystem. Advertisements must also stay moderate, and can’t target vulnerable groups or minors, and must display responsible gambling warnings.
Taxation, Fees, and Oversight Reshape Operator Landscape
Beyond the basic application costs and the uniform 22% tax rate, operators will face a tiered supervision fee structure that scales with their success in the market. Small operators generating under €100,000 in gross gaming revenue will pay approximately €4,000 annually in supervision fees.
Those hitting the jackpot with over €50 million in GGR face fees reaching €434,000. The sliding scale creates a system where bigger players contribute more to regulatory oversight. Finland borrowed this approach from its Nordic neighbors. Sweden and Denmark both use similar dual revenue models, collecting money through direct fees and taxation while maintaining regulatory standards.
The Finnish version adds its own twist, as even Veikkaus loses its tax exemption under the new rules.
Furthermore, license amendments cost €1,120 each, while international cooperation licenses carry their own €1,120 application fee.
These smaller fees add up for operators planning complex multi-jurisdictional arrangements or frequent product updates. Companies planning to enter will find a market that rewards compliance over aggressive marketing.
What Finland’s Gambling Reform Really Means
During the time of the construction of the new reforms, companies planning to enter will find a market that rewards compliance over aggressive marketing. The ban on unsolicited promotions and restrictions on bonus offers signal that Finland wants steady, responsible operators rather than companies focused on rapid customer acquisition.
The five-year license terms create an interesting dynamic. Unlike permanent licenses in some jurisdictions, Finnish operators will face regular reviews of their performance. That structure gives regulators real leverage to maintain standards once the market is operational.