Finland to introduce licensing system for online gambling in 2027 | Yogonet International
Summary
Finland plans to end its state online gambling monopoly and introduce a partial licensing system from 2027. The reform (legislative draft HE 16/2025 vp) targets online casino games and betting, while keeping the national lottery and physical slot machines within Veikkaus Oy as a separate legal entity. A new supervisory authority, funded by licence-holders, will enforce rules including fines and licence revocation. The proposal sets a 22% GGR tax for licensed operators, requires software suppliers to hold licences, tightens identity and residency checks, restricts direct marketing without consent, and establishes a centralised self-exclusion mechanism.
Key Points
- Finland will move from a monopoly to a partial licensing model for online betting and casino in 2027.
- Licences will be granted for up to five years; lottery and land-based slots remain with Veikkaus in a separate entity.
- A new supervisory authority will monitor compliance and be financed through supervision fees from licence-holders.
- Uniform lottery tax of 22% GGR will apply to licensed operators; taxation will also target winnings from unlicensed sites to improve channeling.
- Operators must use software from licensed suppliers only; software suppliers themselves must hold a licence.
- Stricter player registration, identity and residency verification and limits on promotional communications are mandated.
- A centralised self-exclusion system will allow players to block access to all licensed services with a single request.
Content Summary
The government says the monopoly model has failed to meet its aims: Veikkaus’s share of digital gambling is around 50%, leaving significant play outside regulated channels. The draft law aims to strike a balance between preventing gambling harm and offering licences attractive enough for operators to apply. It includes enforcement powers for a newly formed regulator, clear rules on software provision, taxation measures to channel play back into legal options, consumer-protection measures such as identity checks and a unified self-exclusion system, and restrictions on direct marketing without consent.
Context and Relevance
This is a major regulatory shift for Finland and a clear signal to operators and suppliers: a national licensing market is coming, with compliance, tax and marketing rules that will reshape how companies operate there. The move aligns with wider European trends of replacing monopolies with supervised licensing to improve channeling, increase tax revenues and strengthen player protection. Suppliers and operators should prepare for licence applications, software certification and tighter KYC/residency processes.
Why should I read this?
Quick and simple — if you work in iGaming, payments, compliance or marketing, this will change who can operate in Finland and how. New licences, a 22% GGR tax, software-licence rules and strict marketing/KYC limits mean you need to know the detail now so you don’t get blindsided when the system goes live in 2027.
