The Finnish Parliament approved the government’s proposal for a new Gambling Act by a large majority. The change puts an end to the state monopoly model on online betting games, currently dominated by the state company Veikkausand prepares the opening of the market to competition under a licensing system.
Under the new regulatory framework, companies will be able to apply for licenses to operate betting, sports and online casino games from March 1, 2026, with the open market expected to come into force on July 1, 2027. Meanwhile, Veikkaus will maintain exclusive rights to lotteries, scratch cards and physical machines until the transition, but will also be able to apply for licenses to compete in the liberalized market.
“The model we have been waiting for will improve the possibilities of channeling gambling into legal offerings. Veikkaus has not had a genuine monopoly on gambling in Finland for a long time. According to various estimates, between 600 and 900 million euros are gambled annually outside the official system,” said Velipekka Nummikoski, Deputy CEO of Veikkaus.
The reform seeks to reduce gambling-related harms by directing players to regulated services and increasing oversight. Oversight will be transferred from the National Police Board to a new Licensing and Supervision Authority, with clear rules on player protection, advertising limits and control of gaming offerings.
Experts note that the official opening of the market should attract international operators and align Finland with other European countries that have already adopted licensing systems, while strengthening consumer protection mechanisms and combating illegal gambling outside the regulated scope.
Fonte: Gaming365 – Brasil
