What you need to know:
1. Finland is opening up its iGaming market.
After years of a strict state-run monopoly, Finland is introducing a licensing system starting 2026.
2. The reform is built on responsible gambling and better control.
A new authority, the Finnish Supervisory Agency, will oversee compliance and licensing starting 2026.
3. Zimpler is ready to support this new era.
With proven expertise in regulated markets, Zimpler stands ready to support licensed operators with fast, compliant, and secure payment solutions – driving safe growth from day one.
Finland’s iGaming market is heading into one of its biggest shake-ups yet.
After years of maintaining a strict state monopoly, the country is taking steps toward a more open and regulated model with the attention of operators, regulators and payment service providers across Europe.
Finnish users spend more on iGaming than any other European country, with annual spending exceeding €2 billion, making it a very attractive market.
As Finland prepares to open its iGaming market, understanding these regulatory changes is crucial for all stakeholders aiming to navigate and succeed in this new environment.
This blog unpacks what’s behind Finland’s move from control to regulation and what that means for the iGaming ecosystem. We’ll explore the current framework under Veikkaus Oy and the Lotteries Act, the driving forces behind the reform and what the new licensing model is expected to look like.
Let’s take a closer look at how Finland got here and why the rest of the industry is watching closely.
The current iGaming regulatory framework in Finland.
To understand the upcoming changes, it’s important to look at how Finland’s iGaming market is currently structured.
Veikkaus Oy.
Finland’s gambling market is currently dominated by Veikkaus Oy – a state-owned operator with exclusive rights to run all forms of gambling, from lotteries to sports betting and casino games. This monopoly was designed to minimize gambling-related harm and direct profits toward public interests like education, health, and culture.
Yet, the approach has come under growing criticism in recent years. Many Finnish players now turn to international operators, particularly for online casinos and sports betting. These offshore platforms aren’t licensed in Finland, meaning the country misses out on tax revenue and has limited tools to enforce consumer protection.
The Finnish Lotteries Act.
The Finnish Lotteries Act (Arpajaislaki), originally passed in 2001 and most recently updated in 2022, is the legal foundation for the current system.
The Act defines gambling as a state-controlled activity and reinforces Veikkaus’ exclusive rights. It also sets rules for marketing, user protection and enforcement.
Key features of the Lotteries Act include:
- A ban on advertising foreign operators within Finnish media and platforms.
- Mandatory identification for users of Veikkaus services aimed at reducing problem gambling.
- Authority for the National Police Board to block payments and websites associated with unlicensed operators.
Despite stricter enforcement tools, the monopoly has not prevented offshore gambling.
As the market shifts toward a licensing model, understanding the limits of the current framework explains why reform is necessary and overdue.
The reform push: iGaming regulation Finland.
Despite government efforts to uphold the monopoly through site and payment blocks, unlicensed international operators continue to draw a significant share of Finnish users. Enforcement tools remain limited and largely reactive – and according to the Ministry of the Interior, more than half of all online gambling revenue now flows to offshore platforms.
- These platforms are not bound by Finnish laws on responsible gambling or advertising restrictions.
- The state is missing out on millions in potential tax income.
Instead of continuing a cat-and-mouse game with unlicensed providers, the government has decided to replace enforcement with engagement by regulating who can operate rather than trying to block them altogether.
The legislative reform seeks to prevent and reduce gambling-related harm while improving the effectiveness of channeling players toward the legal gambling system and preventing abuses and criminal activity linked to gambling.
The overall goal is to strike a balance between effective regulation that minimises harm and a system attractive enough to steer players away from unlicensed alternatives.
The Government submitted the Gambling Act to the Finnish Parliament on March 20, 2025, expecting its approval by summer 2025. The new law is set to enter into force on January 1, 2026, after which the licensing process for gambling companies is expected to begin shortly.
The Finnish government’s proposed gambling reform introduces a dual licensing system aimed at restructuring the current monopoly. This system comprises two primary types of licenses:
- Exclusive Licenses: These licenses are designated for specific gambling activities that will remain under the control of a state-owned entity, primarily Veikkaus Oy. The activities covered under exclusive licenses include: lotteries, scratch cards, land-based slot machines and physical casino games.
- Gambling Game Licenses: These licenses open the market to private operators, allowing them to offer online sports betting, online casino games, online slot machines, online bingo.
Private operators can apply for these licenses starting in early 2026, with licensed operations expected to commence by early 2027. Additionally, the reform introduces a Software License for providers of gambling game software. This license ensures that all gaming software used by licensed operators meets regulatory standards. Applications for software licenses are anticipated to open in 2027, with mandatory compliance by 2028.
Regulatory Oversight:
A new regulatory authority, the Finnish Supervisory Agency, is scheduled to commence operations in early 2026. This agency will be responsible for granting licenses, overseeing compliance, and enforcing regulations within the gambling sector. It will assume supervisory duties from the National Police Board starting in 2027.
Implementation Timeline:
- Early 2026: Opening of license applications for operators.
- End of 2026: Veikkaus’ monopoly on online slots, casino games, and betting services concludes.
- Early 2027: Licensed gambling activities commence under the new system.
This reform is designed to balance the prevention of gambling-related harm with the introduction of a competitive market, directing gambling activities toward regulated and supervised offerings. The proposal is currently under parliamentary consideration, with the new system expected to be operational by January 2027.
Impact on iGaming and payment providers.
The shift toward a licensing model creates new opportunities for both local and international operators – but only for those ready to meet regulatory standards. For iGaming companies, this means adapting marketing strategies, payment flows, and customer verification to align with Finnish requirements. For payment service providers (PSPs), the reform introduces a more active compliance role, ensuring payments are only processed for approved operators. Companies like Zimpler – already experienced in regulated markets such as Sweden – are well-placed to help facilitate a compliant and seamless transition.
Finland’s reform journey mirrors what we’ve seen in Brazil, where a longstanding grey market has been formalized into a licensed, taxed system.
The lesson is clear: Regulating the market brings more control than banning it. And for stakeholders across the board, it creates a more transparent, fairer framework for sustainable growth.
Finland is moving from control to regulation and the industry is watching.
Finland is shifting from a state-controlled gambling monopoly to a regulated licensing system, aiming to modernize its iGaming landscape, align with EU trends, and enhance consumer protection.
For years, Veikkaus Oy held exclusive control over gambling in Finland. But with the rise of unregulated online platforms, the government now plans to open the market by 2027, introducing licenses for private operators.
The reform has sparked debate around responsible gambling, advertising limits, and betting scope. As the country prepares for this transition, payment providers like Zimpler are ready to support operators and users with secure, compliant, and seamless solutions.
Zimpler’s proven experience across regulated markets positions it as a key partner in driving responsible growth in Finland’s evolving iGaming ecosystem.
Join the payment revolution.
The information contained in this post is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon for professional advice of any kind. Zimpler does not make any representation or warranty as to the completeness or accuracy of the information, and assumes no liability or responsibility that may result from reliance on such information.
