Finland’s Online Casino Reboot Is Coming: Here’s What Players Need to Know (2026–2027)
Finland is officially gearing up for a major online gambling reset. News coming out of Finland on 18 December 2025 says Finnish MPs voted 158–8 in favour of moving from a one-operator-style online setup to an open licensing model for online betting and gaming, with licence applications expected to open 1 March 2026 and the new market scheduled to launch 1 July 2027.
The big consumer angle: this could change where you play, how protected you are, what marketing you see, and how easy it is to spot legit sites.
What’s happening?
Finland’s current approach has revolved around Veikkaus as the exclusive legal operator in mainland Finland, under the Lotteries Act (with PAF operating in Åland).
Now, Finland is progressing toward an online market where multiple operators can apply for licences to offer products like online casino games and betting (depending on how the final framework lands).
Key dates (so you know when to start paying attention)
- 1 March 2026: licence applications open
- 1 July 2027: new market launch is scheduled
We expect B2C licensing to start in 2026, with permission to operate expected from early 2027, indicating the same overall direction even if timing details shift as the final law develops.
Why it matters to players
More choice (but don’t expect huge welcome bonuses)
A multi-licence market usually brings more competition and more variety. But the podcast discussion suggests bonuses could be “limited, heavily restricted, if not prohibited” under Finland’s incoming approach.
Worth noting: the guide also states that Veikkaus is currently prohibited from offering free spins or free bets on real-money games, so Finland is already stricter than many markets.
Marketing could get a lot quieter
The podcast highlights tough marketing regulations, including a ban on influencer marketing and concerns about affiliates (as discussed by the iGaming Daily Podcast).
It is important to note that foreign online gambling companies are prohibited from marketing their gambling services in Finland, and the National Police Board assesses whether marketing is aimed at Finnish consumers.
Translation: less hype in your feed — but potentially fewer easy “compare sites” pathways too, depending on how this gets enforced.
Enforcement is already built into the system
Finland introduced a payment service provider (PSP) blocking scheme that entered into force in 2023, allowing payments to be blocked to blacklisted operators (following decisions by the National Police Board related to marketing prohibitions).
If you’ve ever had an offshore deposit fail for no obvious reason, this type of tool is often why.
What products are likely to be licensed?
There are indications that the changes to the license will cover products such as fixed-odds betting, pari-mutuel betting, online casino games, online e-bingo, and online slots, while other products would remain under Veikkaus’ exclusive rights.
The podcast also suggests there are still moving parts, including “intricacies” around slot rules and potential stake limits, plus the final shape of advertising controls and enforcement expectations.
What players should do now
Don’t expect instant change — this is a phased rollout toward 2026–2027.
Keep an eye on bonus rules and marketing restrictions as details firm up (these will shape the “feel” of the new market).
If you play offshore, understand that Finland already has enforcement tools (like PSP blocking) that can affect payments and accessibility.
Bottom line
Finland is on track to move from a monopoly-style online setup toward a licensed, competitive online casino market. For players, the biggest likely shifts are more regulated choice and clearer oversight, but possibly stricter rules on promos and marketing than you’d see in many other countries.