Finland’s Gambling Regulation Nears Completion as Key Decisions Await Approval
Finland is in the final stages of developing its online gambling regulation, with key decisions expected this week. The cross-party steering committee will decide on whether to advance the market launch date from January 2027 and if commercial operators can provide horseracing betting.
Key Decisions Pending
The Finnish government released its draft online gambling regulation to the public in July, prompting a public consultation that saw industry stakeholders expressing concerns over restrictive measures. The legislation, currently in its final drafting phase, will be submitted to the European Commission (EC) for approval before the end of the year, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the Ministry of the Interior. Modifications to the law are anticipated in the coming weeks before the EC’s review.
This week, a cross-party steering committee will focus on two major unresolved issues: the potential earlier market launch and the inclusion of horseracing betting under a commercial license. Currently, horseracing betting is controlled under a monopoly, and the committee will decide whether to maintain this or open it up to other operators.
Jari Vähänen, a local industry consultant, noted that the horseracing industry has been lobbying for a transition to a license-based system. The government originally planned to present the final legislation draft to parliament by February 2025 and launch the market by January 2027. However, faster progress could lead to an earlier start date, possibly before mid-2025.
Industry Feedback and Legislative Adjustments
Initial criticism of the regulatory draft focused on its restrictive measures, including the prohibition of affiliate marketing. Following consultations in August, the government made adjustments to address these concerns. Kuismanen, a spokesperson involved in the legislative process, stated that the law is now taking a more balanced and practical direction.
Kuismanen highlighted that the government has been open to discussions, adapting the regulations based on stakeholder feedback. “We have to give credit to the civil servants and government as they have structured the process to legislation very well,” he said. However, Finland’s Ministry of the Interior has declined to disclose specific details of these discussions, noting only that feedback from various stakeholders has been evaluated and further conversations with industry representatives have taken place.
As the process approaches its conclusion, all eyes are on the steering committee’s upcoming decisions, which will shape the future of Finland’s gambling market. If consensus is reached, the market could see significant changes and a possible earlier launch date.
