Finland gambling reform: end of monopoly, new licensing model
With a bold move set to reshape the Nordic online gambling landscape, Finland has embarked on a sweeping reform of its regulatory framework. The country is turning its back on the long-standing monopoly model that has dominated the market for decades. What lies ahead is a new era: one that promises greater transparency, increased competition, and a stronger focus on player protection.
Context: a long-awaited transition
This shift did not happen overnight. As early as 2023, the centre-right government led by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo had included in its official agenda the transition from the current state-controlled monopoly – managed by Veikkaus – to a multi-licence model. The government’s ambitions were twofold: to curb access to unregulated gambling and to strengthen oversight of gambling-related harm.
After more than a year of public consultation, the legislative proposal was submitted to Parliament in March 2025. It is supported by three delegated regulations, currently under the standstill period at the European Commission. EU Member States have until 10 November 2025 to submit their feedback or objections.
Supervisory contributions: financing the new system
One of the reform’s pillars is the financial model for regulatory oversight. The first of the three implementing regulations details how licensed operators will be required to pay supervisory contributions, calculated based on their gross gaming revenue (GGR). These payments must be submitted to the competent authority according to a set schedule.
New market entrants will benefit from a simplified procedure during their first year of operations. This regulation is set to come into force on 1 January 2027, coinciding with the full launch of licensed activities. The goal is clear: to ensure that oversight costs are covered transparently and consistently, reinforcing the credibility and efficiency of Finland’s regulatory body.
Licensing: an open but demanding framework
The second delegated regulation introduces the core licensing framework. It marks a departure from the single-operator model and opens the market to multiple providers – provided they meet stringent compliance standards.
The regulation outlines every stage of the licensing process, from documentation and submission to mandatory disclosures to the oversight authority. Simply submitting a file will no longer be enough. Applicants must now demonstrate – in clear and measurable terms – their ability to operate responsibly and minimise gambling-related harm.
The system will officially open for applications from 1 January 2026, with licences becoming effective from 2027. This transitional window will allow both regulators and operators to prepare thoroughly, ensuring an orderly and well-regulated market launch.
Annual reporting: at the heart of transparency
The third component of the reform focuses on annual reporting obligations. Far from being a mere bureaucratic requirement, the new regulation establishes a strategic tool for forward-looking supervision.
Each licensee will be required to submit an extensive written report that includes: a summary of the previous year’s activity, annual accounts, promotional activities, the following year’s operational plan, an internal control strategy, and specific measures taken to prevent addiction and match-fixing.
The aim is twofold: to identify emerging risks at an early stage and to raise overall compliance standards. It reflects a modern and data-driven regulatory philosophy – one that places accountability at the core of the system.
A European dimension: Malta’s objection and the extended standstill
Finland’s regulatory overhaul has also attracted attention beyond its borders. Notably, Malta’s intervention involved formal objections to the Finnish proposals submitted under the EU’s Technical Regulation Information System (TRIS).
According to reliable sources, Malta’s concerns relate to the compatibility of Finland’s new licensing structure with the EU principle of freedom to provide services. As a result of these objections, the European Commission has extended the standstill period, delaying the adoption of the implementing regulations. This move may well have ripple effects across other EU jurisdictions currently considering similar reforms to their gambling laws.
Finland as a regulatory laboratory?
The Finnish model is emerging as a compelling case study for the wider European market. Striking the balance between liberalisation and consumer protection is no easy task, but Finland appears to be charting a confident course.
Much will depend on implementation. Transparency, technological readiness, and effective collaboration between stakeholders will be essential for success. Should this ambitious transformation prove effective, Finland may well become the benchmark for a new era of gambling regulation across Europe.
This article was first published in Italian on 8 August 2025.
