Finnish government launches legislative project ahead of gambling reform
Ministry of the Interior unveils multi-faceted exploration into laying the groundwork for shift to competitive market
The Finnish government’s Ministry of the Interior has launched a legislative project for the reform of gambling in the country into a multi-licensed market.
Multiple legislative aspects to usher in the new system will be explored as part of the project which will run until 31 December 2025.
Licence fees, taxation, self-exclusion tools and marketing regulations will all be looked at as part of the project.
The Ministry will aim to submit a government proposal on reform to Parliament in the spring of 2025, with a switch to the new market earmarked for early 2026.
Additionally, monopoly activities and verticals subject to the new competitive market currently under the remit of state-owned operator Veikkaus will be separated into two different companies.
The Ministry further confirmed a political steering group and an intersectoral working group, including other departments and Finnish authorities, have been established to support the project.
The Ministry said: “The aim of the reform is to prevent and reduce the harm resulting from gambling and to improve the channelling rate of the gambling system in accordance with the government programme.
“Gambling outside the monopoly system has increased and causes significant gambling-related harm.
“The rapporteurs presented two options for developing the gambling system: strengthening the current gambling monopoly system or switching to a licence model for online casino games and online betting.
“The aim is to strengthen supervision of the gambling industry when entering the licence system.”
The launch of the project comes after an initial study by the Ministry of the Interior suggested a multi-licensed market would improve channelisation in the Nordic nation.