Finland: Law ratified, starting signal for July 2027
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20 Jan 2026 •
Reading time: 3 minutes The President of Finland has officially ratified the new gambling law, sealing the end of the state monopoly. From 1 July 2027, the market will be opened up to competition for online casinos and sports betting.
The presidential signature on 16 January 2026 on the Gambling Act, the new gambling law, marks the definitive end of the legislative process. After approval by Parliament, this ratification was the last formality necessary to transform the bill into law. The text will be published shortly in the Statutes of Finland, the Finnish equivalent of the Belgian Official Gazette.
This reform puts an end to regulatory uncertainty. For international operators (Betsson, Kindred, Entain, etc.), the signal is now clear: Finland is no longer a closed fortress, but a future regulated market with strong potential.
Although the official opening is set for July 2027, certain tax provisions will come into force on 1 March 2026, which will require market players to anticipate their accounting compliance well in advance.
A hybrid model: what is opening up and what remains
Instead of total liberalisation, Finland has opted for a pragmatic hybrid model. The aim is to channel players towards legal offerings while protecting state revenues in the more traditional segments.
The historic monopoly, Veikkaus, will not disappear but will see its scope reduced. Here is the new market distribution:
| Segment | Status after July 2027 | Authorised operators |
| Online casino (slots, live) | Competitive | Veikkaus + licensed private operators |
| Online sports betting | Competitive | Veikkaus + licensed private operators |
| Lottery & scratch cards | Monopoly | Veikkaus only |
| Physical slot machines | Monopoly | Veikkaus only |
| Land-based casinos | Monopoly | Veikkaus only |
Taxation and licences: Key figures
Taxation remains the key issue for operators. According to the details of the approved bill, the tax rate on gross gaming revenue (GGR) is set at 22%. This rate is considered competitive in Europe, falling within the upper average but remaining viable to ensure the profitability of private operators.
Implementation schedule
The transition will be gradual to allow the new regulatory authority to be set up:
- Early 2026: Opening of the window for submitting licence applications.
- 1 March 2026: Entry into force of the tax amendments.
- 1 July 2027: Official opening of the market.
- 1 July 2028: B2C operators required to use only licensed B2B suppliers.
Strict regulation: AML and player protection
The opening of the market is accompanied by stricter rules. The new law incorporates enhanced monitoring tools to combat money laundering (AML) and terrorist financing.
A new Supervisory Agency (replacing the current role of the National Police Board) will have extensive powers to:
- Block financial transactions to illegal operators.
- Impose heavy administrative fines.
- Monitor marketing practices.
Finland is strict on this last point. While advertising is permitted, it will be highly regulated: influencer marketing will be strictly prohibited, aggressive bonuses will be restricted, and targeting minors or vulnerable individuals will be banned. A centralised self-exclusion register will also be set up, which will be mandatory for all licence holders.
The stage is set. The race for Finnish licences is officially on.