The timeline for the introduction of Finland’s commercial gambling license system appears to be shifting, with a six-month delay now likely.
Originally scheduled to open on January 1, 2027, the market launch is now projected for July 1, 2027. While official reports cite staffing shortages at the Licensing and Supervision Agency, recent parliamentary debates suggest political maneuvering may also be a factor.
During a recent plenary session, the Administrative Committee’s proposal to postpone the launch sparked a heated exchange. Tuomas Kettunen of the Centre Party challenged Sinuhe Wallinheimo of the Coalition Party, questioning whether the delay was a strategic move to avoid a flood of gambling advertising during the upcoming 2027 parliamentary elections.
Kettunen suggested the Coalition Party might be concerned that “advertising rallies” from gaming companies could overshadow political campaigns or negatively impact election results.
Wallinheimo firmly rejected these accusations, attributing the delay strictly to logistical realities. He emphasized that the regulatory body required to oversee the market is still in its infancy and lacks the necessary personnel.
“The Licensing and Supervision Authority needs dozens of people to carry out this supervision,” Wallinheimo argued. “Such an organization does not exist before 2027. That is why it made sense to take a six-month break here, so that people can genuinely get to work there and they know what they are supervising.”
According to Wallinheimo, the current plan relies on transferring a handful of staff from the police administration, which is insufficient for the scale of the task. He maintained that launching in January without a fully staffed regulator would be practically impossible.
For stakeholders waiting to enter the Finnish market, the delay provides more preparation time but signals that the regulatory infrastructure is still far from complete.
