State Monopoly/Regulated, Unregulated for Private Operators,
Gambling is regulated by the Lotteries Act (1047/2001, as amended), which grants the exclusive right to provide gambling services in the territory of Finland to the wholly state-owned gambling operator Veikkaus Oy (Veikkaus). The Ministry of the Interior affirms further rules governing gambling via a decree.

Gambling under the Finnish Lotteries Acts is defined as an activity in which participants may win money prizes based in full or in part on chance, and in which there is a charge for participation. Gambling covers betting, casino games, money lotteries, scratch cards and other similar games.

Gambling services falling under the exclusive right of Veikkaus cover both land-based and online gambling operations.

The Gambling Department of the National Police Board (“Arpajaishallinto”) is responsible for monitoring the provision and advertising of gambling activities in the territory of Finland.

The Åland Islands, which is an autonomous region of Finland, has its own gambling regulation. Ålands Penningautomatförening (“PAF”) currently maintains a gambling monopoly in the Åland Islands.

On June 20, 2023, Finland’s new government was appointed. In the government programme, which refers to the comprehensive plan set forth for the governments term, it has been stated that Finland’s gambling system will be reformed and opened to competition using a licence model by 1 January 2026 at the latest. As a rule, the licence system would cover online casino games and online betting while the other products would remain under Veikkaus monopoly. On October 23, 2023, the Ministry of the Interior officially initiated a legislative reform with the aim of providing a governments proposal to the parliament during spring 2025. The first draft law is anticipated to be published during the summer 2024.

Market Size
In 2023 the gross gaming revenue (GGR) of the whole Finnish gambling market was EUR 1,515 million (-5%) while Veikkaus GGR was EUR 1,032 million (-3,6%).

Competitive Landscape
one yet due to the existing monopoly system. However, according to the government programme Finland will introduce a licensing system on digital casino games and digital sports betting at latest January 1, 2026. Please see the Future Outlook section.

Localisation
N/A

Top Key Attractions and Challenges
Attractions

• Unlicensed market in which players are not sanctioned for playing on foreign gambling websites
• GGR per capita is high
• Upcoming market opening

Challenges

• The National Police Boards enforcement activity towards foreign gambling operators targeting Finland in their marketing