Finland has opened online gambling to private operators after 85 years of monopoly

Finland has formally activated its long-awaited online gambling reform, moving beyond political discussion and into full legal implementation. Although proposals to reshape the market dominated debate throughout late 2025, the turning point came on 15 January, when Parliament published official confirmation that the legislation had been approved and signed by President Alexander Stubb.

With that publication, the reform ceased to be a future plan. The legal mechanism is now in force.

End of an Era for the Veikkaus Monopoly

For roughly 85 years, Veikkaus operated as Finland’s sole legal gambling provider. While the monopoly remained intact on paper, the reality of the online casino market had already shifted. Finnish players increasingly turned to foreign websites operating outside national supervision, tax obligations and consumer protection rules.

Veikkaus’ position online eroded gradually as players increasingly turned to foreign casino sites, leaving regulators with fewer tools to track activity or influence player behaviour. This growing gap has been repeatedly cited in Parliament as a central argument for changing the system.

From Closed Market to Licensed Competition

The new legislation opens Finland’s online casino market to private companies operating under a national licensing regime. Veikkaus will continue to control lotteries, scratch cards and land-based gaming machines, but its exclusive position online will gradually come to an end.

Applications for online casino operator licences will open on 1 March 2026. A fully competitive market is scheduled to go live on 1 July 2027. During the transition phase, Veikkaus will remain the only authorised online casino provider.

Two Licence Paths and Tighter Technical Control

The reform introduces a dual-licensing structure. B2C licences will apply to online casino operators, while B2B licences will be required for game software suppliers.

Operator licences will run for five years and carry a 22% tax on gross gaming revenue. One of the most consequential rules is technical: licensed casinos will be allowed to offer only approved software. Once enforced, this requirement is expected to raise compliance standards and reduce the presence of loosely regulated or offshore content.

Supplier licensing will follow in early 2027, with full compliance mandatory from 1 January 2028. The short lead time places pressure on software providers to adapt quickly if they wish to remain active in Finland’s future market.

Veikkaus to Be Split Into Two Companies

The reform also restructures Veikkaus itself. The state operator will be divided into two separate legal entities. One will retain a 10-year monopoly over lottery products and land-based operations. The other will enter the open online casino market and compete on equal regulatory terms with private companies.

The split is designed to address competition concerns and align Finland’s system more closely with EU principles, while removing the inherent conflict of a single entity acting as both market participant and beneficiary of monopoly protection.

A New Regulator and Stricter Player Safeguards

Oversight of the reformed market will be handled by a new supervisory unit within Finland’s upcoming Permit and Supervision Agency. The authority will be funded through industry fees and tasked with licensing, compliance monitoring and enforcement.

Player protection measures are central to the framework. The law mandates player identification, sets a minimum participation age of 18 and places firm limits on advertising. Promotions involving influencers and direct telephone marketing will be banned, reflecting a broader push to reduce gambling-related harm.

What the Reform Means for the Market and Players

From a market perspective, the reform opens the door to private companies but keeps tight control over how they operate. Entry will be possible only through licensing, approved technology and ongoing supervision, a structure designed to draw players away from offshore casinos instead of dismantling the system altogether.

For players, the changes are designed to redirect online casino play toward supervised environments. Access to licensed operators should mean clearer rules, stronger identity checks and greater accountability, while limiting exposure to unregulated sites that previously operated beyond Finnish control.

From Proposal to Reality

Although the competitive market will not launch until 2027, the publication of Parliament’s confirmation on 15 January marks the moment Finland’s online casino reform became operational law. After years of debate, the transition away from monopoly control has officially begun — and the structure of Finland’s future casino market is now set.