Finland’s New Gambling Regulation
Finland is on the point of a significant transformation in its gambling framework, as a new legislative package aims to reshape the current monopoly system and open the market for broader competition. The proposed reform has gathered considerable attention among both national stakeholders and international operators eager to enter a potentially lucrative market.
Legislative Process and Timeline
Finalized in November, Finland’s gambling law reform awaits parliamentary review after the EU “standstill period.” Committees, including the constitutional one, will assess the draft over 8–10 weeks, aiming for mid-summer 2025 approval. The law could take effect by late 2026. Market opening is expected by July 2026 or January 2027, pending preparations.
Key Information:
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Licenses: Licenses will be granted for 5 years.
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Supervision Fees: An annual supervision fee will range from €4,000 to €434,000, depending on the operator's gross gaming revenue (GGR).
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Gambling Tax: A 22% gambling tax will apply to all games.
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Channelization Goal: The goal is to reach at least a 75% channelization rate, though this target is still far from being achieved.
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Affiliate Marketing: Affiliate marketing will be forbidden under the new regulations.
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Customer Benefits: Customer benefits may be part of portfolios but will only apply to existing customers. Welcome bonuses will no longer be allowed in Finland.
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Responsible Gambling: Operators will be required to offer tools to allow customers to prevent and limit their gaming behavior, including providing self-exclusion options across all licensed gambling services.
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Reliability Criteria: Operators who have had any penalty in the past two years (from September 2024) may not meet the reliability criteria necessary to apply for a license.
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