#01
Online casinos move to a licence regime
Foreign casinos operating in Finland today (Curaçao, Malta) can apply for an official Finnish licence. Operations legalise - but the 22% gambling tax and tightened consumer-protection requirements bite.
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REFORM 2027 · TRANSITION · UNDER A YEAR
Finland's gambling monopoly ends. We're counting the days.
351days
28named sources
1 Jul 2027deadline · 00:00 EEST
1publication tracking
REFORM 2027 · BRIEFING
The Finnish gambling reform — plain Finnish, sourced.
Parliament passed the new Gambling Act on 2025-12-09. It takes effect 2027-07-01. Below: what changes, when, and what it means for players, operators, Veikkaus, sports clubs and publications like PUTKI HQ. Editorial commentary based on HE 167/2025 vp + the parliamentary record + Veikkaus’ January 2026 strategy briefing. Not legal advice.
Timeline
- 2025-09-25HE 167/2025 vp tabled in parliamentGovernment bill for the new Gambling Act - two-tier licence model + partial unwinding of the Veikkaus monopoly.
- 2025-12-09Parliament passes the bill (137-58)Final vote passes the law. Key influences: SDP (for), Finns Party (against on casino segment).
- 2026-01-01Ministry of the Interior preparation kicks offNational Police Board designated as licence authority. Application instructions published 2026 Q2.
- 2026-Q3First licence application window opensOnline casino + sports betting licence applications open for a 3-month window.
- 2027-01-01Veikkaus is split into two companiesExclusive verticals (lottery, scratch cards, physical EGMs) move to the new Veikkaus Yksinoikeudet Oy.
- 2027-07-01Law enters full forceLicensed operators may offer online casino + sports betting in Finland. Tightened advertising restrictions activate at the same moment.
What actually changes
#02
Veikkaus monopoly partially unwound
Sports betting + online casino open to competition. Exclusive rights remain on lottery-style games, scratch cards, and physical EGMs.
#03
Advertising restrictions tightened
Time bans (no ads outside 07:00-22:00), targeting bans (no under-25 cohorts), in-game sports advertising blackout. Bonus ads only to registered users.
#04
Comparison sites get an official classification
Section 6 of the act creates the "rahapeliasiamies" category: publishers that compare licensed operators. PUTKI HQ falls under this classification - we are not an operator.
#05
18+ stays, strong identity verification mandatory
Strong electronic identification (Mobile ID, bank credentials, eIDAS) required for every licensed service. No more email-only signups.
#06
Player protection - loss limits compulsory
Every account must set a monthly / daily loss cap. Self-exclusion register centralised (run by the National Police Board).
Who feels it
Players
Legal, licensed alternatives. Stricter ID checks. Mandatory loss caps. Access to foreign unlicensed operators degrades (geo-blocks + payment-blocks).
Operators
Legal access to Finland. High tax (22%). Mandatory KYC + AML. Advertising channels narrow - comparison sites become the primary acquisition channel.
Veikkaus
Revenue projected to fall €800M-€1.2B per year post-2027 (per internal projections). The company splits - Yksinoikeudet Oy + competitive sister company.
Publications & comparison sites
§6 grants official status. Affiliate revenue from licensed operators is explicitly permitted - but requires "clear and distinguishable" disclosure on every commercial link.
Sports clubs
Sponsorship permitted with restrictions: limited shirt placements, no in-play exposure. Veikkausliiga + Liiga shirt deals re-priced for the 2027-28 season.
PUTKI HQ POSITION · §6 rahapeliasiamies
PUTKI HQ operates as a comparison + editorial publication. We do not offer games, accept stakes, or hold gambling licences. Once the 2027 regime is live we will only feature operators licensed in Finland (or where the reader is). Every commercial link carries a clear disclosure of commission per the §6 transparency requirement.
FAQ
- Can I still play with Veikkaus as before?
- Lottery, scratch cards and physical EGMs remain under Veikkaus exclusivity. Sports betting and online casino move into competition - Veikkaus becomes one provider among many.
- What happens to my existing accounts at foreign casinos?
- The operator either applies for a Finnish licence (in which case your account converts to a licensed one) or exits the Finnish market. PUTKI HQ will track licence applications from 2026 Q3.
- Is PUTKI HQ a gambling site?
- No. PUTKI HQ is a news + comparison publication (§6: rahapeliasiamies). We do not offer games, do not accept stakes, do not handle money. We earn commission from licensed operators and disclose it on every link.
- When can I first play on a licensed Finnish online casino?
- From 2027-07-01, when the act enters full force. Licensed operators begin operations from that date onward.
NAMED SOURCES
- HE 167/2025 vp — Hallituksen esitys eduskunnalle rahapelilaiksi (2025-09-25)
- Eduskunnan täysistuntopöytäkirja PTK 142/2025 vp — äänestys 137-58 (2025-12-09)
- Sisäministeriö — tiedotteen yhteenveto (2025-12-10)
- Veikkaus Oy — strategy update Q4/2025 (2026-01-21)
- Poliisihallitus — lisenssiviranomaisen valmisteluaikataulu (2026 Q1)
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