Finnish Gambling Reform Faces Scrutiny Over Potential Harm Increase

Legislative Council Questions Harm Increase

A Finnish legislative review council, Lainsäädännön arviointineuvosto, has expressed concerns about the potential for increased gambling harms under the country’s new gambling framework.

The council has called for more detail on how the new system might impact healthcare capabilities. The council’s report questions whether the new framework could lead to a rise in problem gambling, especially compared to the current monopoly system.

The council’s main concern is that opening the market to commercial competition could lead to a rise in gambling-related harms. This is due to the potential increase in the number of players.

However, the report also acknowledges that many players currently use the grey market, which offers no protection against gambling harms. The council asks, “What does the increase in gambling harm mean for the compatibility of the proposal with EU law?”

Preventative Measures Under Scrutiny

The council has also requested more information on preventative measures that will be enforced, beyond government-mandated checks.

“The legislative review council believes that the bill should have assessed various options in more detail from the perspective of reducing the harm caused by gambling, taking into account, for example, the effects of different lottery tax rates, centralised spending limits or the age [restrictions]”, the council’s statement said.

2026 Launch and Legislative Process

Finland is preparing to launch its regulated gambling sector in January 2026. The draft legislation was submitted to the European Commission on 1 November for review. It will then go to parliament for debate and final approval.

Mika Kuismanen, CEO of Finnish online gambling trade body Rahapeliala Ry, told iGB the law will likely be approved by parliament before midsummer [June 2025].