Finland has officially enacted a comprehensive reform of its gambling laws, signaling the end of the state monopoly system. On January 16, 2026, President Alexander Stubb signed the Gambling Act, paving the way for a competitive licensing model that will fully launch on July 1, 2027.
The transition period will allow authorities to establish necessary supervision and compliance frameworks throughout 2026 and early 2027.
Opening the Door to Competition
Under the new regulations, the monopoly held by state-owned Veikkaus Oy will be dismantled for online betting, slots, casino games, and bingo. However, Veikkaus will retain exclusive rights over physical slot machines, lottery games, and scratch cards. The Ministry of the Interior stated that the primary goal is to increase the “channelling rate”—bringing Finnish players back from offshore sites into a regulated environment with stronger player protections and tax oversight.
Key Dates for Operators
Companies eyeing the Finnish market should mark March 1, 2026, as the date to begin submitting license applications to the National Police Board. Supervision will transfer to the new Finnish Supervisory Agency on July 1, 2027, when the open market officially commences. By July 1, 2028, all licensed operators must use software solely from licensed providers.
Focus on Player Safety
The reform in Finland places a heavy emphasis on harm prevention. New rules will require strong identification for all players to verify age and enforce self-exclusion across all platforms. Additionally, a centralized self-exclusion register will be created, ensuring that a player who blocks themselves on one site is protected across the entire licensed market. The law also strictly limits bonuses and bans credit-based gambling.
