Finland Seeks EU Approval for Gambling Reform
Finland's Ministry of the Interior has submitted its draft gambling regulation to the European Commission for review and approval.
Finland aims for expert feedback from EU member states on its submitted gambling regulations.
The move follows a key amendment by a cross-party political committee to the new gambling bill, which transfers regulatory oversight of horseracing betting from the monopoly to the commercial gambling sector.
Starting January 2026, Finland will introduce a competitive online gambling market, allowing licensed operators to compete with Veikkaus in online sports betting and iGaming. This marks a significant shift from the country's former monopoly model.
In the new market, operators can secure licenses for sports betting, online bingo, horserace betting, and online casino games. However, Veikkaus will maintain its exclusive rights to the lottery, betting games, physical ATMs, and land-based casino games.
By sharing the draft regulation with the European Commission, the Ministry of the Interior aims to solicit expert feedback from EU member states on the regulation's compliance with EU laws and "the principles of free movement."
The government plans to submit its proposal to parliament during the 2025 spring session.
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THL Sounds Alarm on Problem Gambling Risks
While Finland's proposed gambling regime has been widely welcomed, several stakeholders have voiced concerns about the new licensing framework.
In August, the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare (THL) voiced concerns that the competitive market model may not ensure improved protections for local consumers.
The public health and welfare research agency warned that excluding Veikkaus from online gambling could lead to a potential increase in problem gambling rates in Finland. It cited its recent study, which reveals that 4.2% of the Finnish population, equivalent to over 150,000 individuals, are struggling with problem gambling or are deemed "at-risk" gamblers.
The agency called on the government to take immediate action and implement measures addressing the risks linked to highly addictive and fast-paced online gambling games before launching the new gambling regime.
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