Bipartisan parliamentary vote sets Finland on course to end Veikkaus monopoly on online betting and casino by 2027
Finland has taken a decisive step toward transforming its gambling landscape after Parliament approved a sweeping reform bill that will open parts of the market to commercially licensed operators for the first time. The legislation passed with an overwhelming bipartisan majority of 158 votes in favour and just nine against, leaving only the President’s formal signature required before it becomes law.
Once enacted, the bill will initiate a phased transition away from Finland’s long-standing monopoly model, which has been dominated by state-owned operator Veikkaus. The most significant change will come in July 2027, when Finland’s commercial gambling market is officially opened. From that point, licensed private operators will be permitted to offer online sports betting and casino products under a regulated framework.
In preparation for the market opening, applications for sports betting and online casino licences will begin as early as March next year. However, key products, including Lotto, Eurojackpot and physical slot machines, will remain exclusively under Veikkaus’ control. Licensing decisions during the initial phase will be handled by Finland’s National Police Board, before regulatory oversight is transferred to the new Licensing and Supervision Agency in June 2026.
The reform also introduces a structured timeline for business-to-business suppliers. Applications for B2B licences will open in July 2027, with holding a licence becoming mandatory for market participation by July 2028.
While the parliamentary vote removes a major political barrier, industry stakeholders caution that several elements of the framework still require clarification. Speaking to iGaming Expert, Hippos ATG Chief Compliance Officer Antti Koivula noted that critical details will only be finalised through secondary legislation. These include rules on game mechanics such as autoplay and bonus buys, limits on stakes and game speed, and a range of technical compliance standards.
Veikkaus has also urged regulators to ensure the new system is robust enough to deter illegal operators. Deputy CEO Velipekka Nummikoski warned that weak enforcement could undermine consumer protection and the policy goal of channelling play into the regulated market.
The reform arrives amid significant internal changes at Veikkaus itself. Facing increased competition, the operator has begun restructuring its workforce and reviewing its long-term strategy. Government officials have also suggested that a public listing of Veikkaus as early as 2027 is under consideration, signalling a period of profound change for Finland’s gambling sector.
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