Finnish Parliament to Debate Gambling Reform

The Finnish Parliament is set to hold a debate today (12 February 2025) on upcoming proposals and policies, including the much-anticipated new Gambling Act.

As part of the session, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, who has been in office since 20 June 2023, will deliver a presentation outlining key policy changes. A total of three hours has been allocated for the opening debate, during which the proposed policies and reforms will be introduced.

A major aspect of the Gambling Act proposal is the end of Veikkaus’ gambling monopoly in Finland. The new law would introduce a licensing system, allowing other operators to enter the market and compete.

Since the merger of Finland’s three largest gaming companies—The Slot Machine Association (RAY), Veikkaus, and Fintoto—on 1 January 2017 under the Veikkaus name, there have been ongoing calls for regulatory change to address concerns over its monopolistic control.

According to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, “the aim of the reform is to prevent and reduce the harm resulting from gambling and to improve the channelling rate of the gambling system.”

Another significant change introduced under Orpo’s government concerns how the proceeds from Veikkaus Oy are distributed. Previously, these funds were earmarked for non-profit causes under the Lotteries Act. However, amendments made in early 2024 mean they are now directed into the government’s general revenue and used to fund various budgetary expenditures.

Once again, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has emphasised that “the aim of the amendments is to eliminate the dependency which the activities financed with proceeds from gambling have on the Veikkaus profits, both in terms of finances and the level of appropriations, and to step up the prevention and reduction of harm resulting from gambling.”

With the proposed changes on the table, today’s debate is expected to shape the future of Finland’s gambling industry for years to come