Finland’s gambling reforms set for implementation in 2026

Finland’s liberalised and regulated gambling market is expected to open in 2026 under the government’s proposed timeline to end the current monopoly.

Finland’s Ministry of Finance said Tuesday that it aims to submit a proposal to parliament to reform the gambling market in the Spring of 2025, with the re-regulated market expected to open in 2026.

The planned reform, which was announced in June, will see the state-owned gambling operator Veikkaus split into different business units, with one maintaining its monopoly on lottery games and another competing in the online sports betting and iGaming market against other licensed operators.

The aim of the reform is to minimise the harm resulting from gambling and to improve the channelling rate of the gambling system, after years of monopoly operations have led to a thriving black market.

“The project will draw up the necessary legislative proposals for the reform of the gambling system, such as the games covered by the licence system, the licence fees and taxation, gambling management tools and other prevention of gambling-related harm, as well as the control and marketing of gambling activities,” said the Ministry of Finance in a statement Tuesday. 

“The aim is to strengthen supervision of the gambling industry when entering the licence system. The preparation will take into account the social impacts of the licence system, especially the impacts on gambling-related harm. A political steering group and an intersectoral working group including key ministries and authorities have been set up for the project. In addition, experts from different sectors will be extensively consulted.”

The plan is to submit a government proposal on the reform to Parliament in the Spring of 2025, with the licensed market expected to open in early 20206.

“It's great that the project is progressing. This is the biggest gambling reform in the history of Finland, with an ambitious schedule,” said Velipekka Nummikoski, deputy CEO of Veikkaus.

“The government program has set clear starting points for the reform and it is good to proceed with them. Hopefully, a system will be created that effectively channels gambling into the licensed supply.”