Finland’s long-anticipated gambling reform has moved another step forward after Parliament’s Administrative Committee approved the new Gambling Act with only minor amendments. Despite multiple proposals from opposition parties, lawmakers chose to keep the bill largely intact as Finland prepares to open its gambling market in 2027.
Opposition Amendments Mostly Rejected
After weeks of debate, the committee reviewed several amendments put forward by opposition lawmakers but voted down most of the more restrictive proposals. These included plans to raise the legal gambling age from 18 to 20, ban direct gambling marketing to individuals under 24, and impose tougher advertising restrictions on television and radio.
Lawmakers also rejected a proposed increase in the gambling tax rate to 25.5%, along with a requirement for mandatory two-factor authentication for every online gambling login. While supporters framed these measures as essential for player protection, the committee viewed them as excessive within the broader reform framework.
Bonuses and Operator-Led Limits Remain
The committee also dismissed calls for a blanket ban on bonuses and the introduction of centralised deposit and loss limits across all licensed operators. The government reiterated that harm reduction remains a key goal, but stressed that the reform must also support a competitive and attractive regulated market.
Officials emphasized that the new system aims to balance player protection with effective channelisation, ensuring consumers remain within the licensed market rather than migrating to offshore operators.
Bill Moves to Further Parliamentary Review
With the Administrative Committee’s review complete, the Gambling Bill now advances to additional parliamentary committees. These include bodies overseeing education, economic affairs, social and health policy, agriculture and forestry, and finance.
Each committee will assess the bill within its respective scope before it returns to Parliament for final consideration. The continued progress marks a key milestone in a legislative process that has drawn close industry and political attention.
Finland Targets Licensed Market Launch in 2027
Finland first announced plans to dismantle the Veikkaus monopoly in 2024 and formally submitted the Gambling Act to Parliament in March 2025. Since then, the bill has undergone constitutional review and faced sustained criticism from opposition parties over advertising exposure and consumer safeguards.
Despite this, the government recently confirmed that the future market will operate under a dual-licence model, covering both B2C operators and B2B suppliers. The licensing framework is scheduled to launch in 2027, opening Finland’s gambling market to private operators for the first time under strict regulatory oversight.
A Defining Phase for Gambling Reform
As the bill continues its journey through Parliament, Finland enters a decisive phase in reshaping its gambling landscape. The rejection of sweeping amendments signals the government’s preference for controlled liberalisation rather than heavy restrictions.
For operators, suppliers, and regulators, the months ahead will be critical in determining how Finland balances consumer protection, market competitiveness, and regulatory stability ahead of the 2027 market opening.
