Finland Set to Launch Regulated Online Gambling Market in 2027

Finland is poised to undergo a significant transformation in its gambling landscape, with a new law proposal paving the way for a regulated online gambling market by 2027, according to reports from Casino Nieuws. 

This move, if passed, will partially dismantle the state gambling monopoly currently held by operator Veikkaus, opening the door for private operators to enter the market. The bill, currently under discussion, focuses solely on online gambling, leaving land-based gambling services, including casinos, slot machine halls, and racetracks, under the state’s control. Lotteries will also remain under Veikkaus’s purview.

To oversee this new market, a dedicated regulatory authority will be established, replacing the National Police’s current role. This new body, under the Ministry of Finance, will have extensive powers, including:

• Imposing fines
• Issuing and revoking licenses
• Banning certain gambling advertisements
• Ensuring compliance with anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing laws

Companies seeking to enter Finland’s online gambling market will need to undergo a licensing process. Licensees will be allowed to engage in legally defined marketing activities, but commercial partnerships with celebrities will be prohibited.

The tax rate for gambling operators will be 22% of gross gaming revenue (GGR*).

Applications for licenses are expected to open in early 2026.

This impending reorganization of Finland’s gambling industry has already prompted Veikkaus to take measures to reduce its workforce, with about a quarter of its employees facing layoffs and remaining employees offered new employment terms.

* GGR is a financial metric used to measure gross earnings, calculated by subtracting total winnings from total bets.