Finland's New Gambling Market in 2026

Why the monopoly is ending

Veikkaus has held an exclusive right to gambling in Finland for over 80 years. In practice, Finnish players have long used offshore operators for online casinos - the Ministry of the Interior's own studies show a large share of online casino spending already leaves the country. The reform is a pragmatic acknowledgement that the monopoly cannot enforce itself online, plus a way to channel tax revenue and player protection into a licensed domestic market.

What the new regime covers

The Government's plan splits gambling into two tracks. Veikkaus keeps its monopoly on lotteries (including Eurojackpot), scratchcards, bingo, and physical slot machines. Online casino games, online poker, and sports betting move to a licensed model with multiple private operators. Licences will be issued by a new regulator (an expanded Lupa- ja valvontavirasto / Licensing and Supervisory Authority).

Timeline

The rollout happens in stages:

• 2025 - legislation passed and confirmed
• 2026 - licence applications open, regulator staffs up, technical standards published
• Early 2027 - first licensed operators go live on the Finnish market
• 2027 onward - marketing rules and offshore-blocking framework enforced

What changes for jackpot players

In the short term, very little. Finnish players can continue to play at offshore-licensed operators (MGA, Curacao, UKGC) as they do today. Once licensed operators launch in 2027, expect the same major progressive jackpots - Mega Moolah, WowPot, Mega Fortune, Divine Fortune - to be available on locally licensed sites too, since the game providers (Games Global, NetEnt, Relax Gaming) will want licences for both channels.

The bigger shifts are on protection and marketing. Licensed operators will have to enforce Finnish-specific deposit limits, self-exclusion via a national register, and stricter advertising rules. Bonuses will likely be more conservative than today's offshore market allows.

Tax treatment

Currently, winnings from EU/EEA-licensed operators (MGA, Malta) are tax-free for Finnish residents. Winnings from operators licensed outside the EU/EEA (Curacao, Kahnawake) are taxable. Under the new regime, winnings from Finnish-licensed operators will be tax-free. If you play offshore, always check where the operator is licensed before depositing.

What to do now

If you already play at reputable EU-licensed operators, no urgent action is needed. Track our Finnish casino directory for updates as licensed operators come online in 2027. For the biggest progressive networks currently active, see our live tracker.