Finland’s Ministry of the Interior has confirmed that the country’s gambling system will become a licensing system no later than the beginning of January 2026.
The country’s Government created a legislative project in October last year to reform its current gambling market, moving away from the monopoly system with state-owned Veikkaus to a licensing system.
The Ministry of the Interior noted that the reform will help prevent and reduce gambling harm, as well as improve the channelisation of the gambling system.
Last week on 1 November, the Government’s economic policy ministerial committee provided further details on the country’s upcoming gambling system, stating that horse racing betting will be covered in the licensing system alongside online casino and online sports betting.
In addition, the Government confirmed that Finland’s gambling system would begin its licensing system no later than 1 January 2026. The draft legislation has also been sent to the European Commission to be reviewed.
The Ministry of the Interior’s statement read: “The Government’s economic policy ministerial committee outlined on Friday, November 1, that in the new gambling system according to the Government programme, horse gambling will also move to the competitive licence market like other betting.
“As a result of the solution, the allocations for the promotion of horse breeding and horse sports will no longer be allocated to competitive activities.
“In the future, through the state budget, support will be allocated to breeding, operator-specific advice in the horse industry and the development of the competition system, as well as to Hippos ry, which is responsible for the industry’s general development work, anti-doping control and advice.
“According to the Government programme, Finland’s gambling system will be reformed and opened to competition with a license model no later than January 1, 2026.”
Regarding sending the proposal to the European Commission, the Ministry of the Interior’s statement read: “The purpose of the procedure is to get possible feedback from the Commission and other EU member states on the proposal’s consistency with EU legislation and the principles of free movement.”
The Ministry of the Interior added that while online casinos, online slots, online sports betting, online bingo and horse racing betting would fall under the upcoming licensing system, Veikkaus Oy would retain the exclusive right to lotteries, lottery games, physical slot machines and casino games.
The Government’s proposal is expected to be presented to Parliament in the 2025 spring session.
Back in September, the European Gaming and Betting Association’s Secretary General Maarten Haijer said Finland’s online gambling legislation proposal is “heading in the right direction” but it needs “some fine-tuning”.
Specifically, the Secretary General spotlighted the proposed marketing restrictions and the proposed blanket ban on bonuses within the legislation.
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