Online Gambling in Finland – Casino Laws & Licensing Reform (2026)

Finland is preparing for one of the most significant changes to its gambling legislation in decades. After years of operating a state-controlled gambling monopoly, the country has adopted a new licensing framework that will allow private operators to offer online casino games and betting services from 1 July 2027.

However, the new system is not yet operational. As of October 2026, Veikkaus Oy continues to hold the exclusive right to organise gambling in mainland Finland. Although private gambling companies have been able to apply for Finnish licences since March 2026, these licences cannot be used to launch gambling services before the new framework takes effect.

The reform will introduce competition in online slots, casino games, betting and online money bingo. Veikkaus will retain exclusive rights to certain other gambling products, including lotteries, scratch cards and physical slot machines.

For players, the distinction between the current monopoly and the forthcoming licensing system is essential. A casino holding a licence in another European country is not automatically authorised to operate or advertise gambling services in Finland.

This guide explains Finland's gambling laws in 2026, the transition to a licensed market, the role of the Finnish authorities and the player protection requirements that will accompany the reform.

Online Casinos in Finland – Can Players Use Foreign Casino Sites?

In October 2026, mainland Finland continues to operate under a gambling monopoly. Veikkaus Oy is the only operator authorised to provide gambling services under the current Finnish system, while private operators must wait until 1 July 2027 to begin offering services under the new licensing framework.

However, an important distinction exists between the legal obligations of gambling operators and the position of individual players.

Finnish gambling legislation primarily regulates the organisation and marketing of gambling services. Foreign operators are not permitted to offer or promote gambling services targeting mainland Finland without the required authorisation. A gambling licence issued in Malta, Estonia or another jurisdiction does not automatically provide permission to operate in Finland.

What about Finnish residents who independently access foreign casino websites?

Finnish authorities distinguish between prohibited gambling operations and the responsibilities of individual players. Players are not subject to penalties merely because a payment to a gambling operator is completed despite an applicable payment block. Accessing an offshore casino should therefore not automatically be confused with the player committing a criminal offence.

Nevertheless, an offshore casino accepting Finnish customers is not necessarily operating legally under Finnish gambling law. Players may also lack the consumer protections and regulatory safeguards available through Finland's authorised gambling system.

The forthcoming licensing reform aims to bring more online gambling activity under Finnish supervision, providing a regulated alternative to offshore gambling websites from July 2027.

Finland's New Online Gambling Licensing System

Finland's gambling reform introduces a licensing system that will allow private operators to compete in selected parts of the online gambling market from 1 July 2027. The objective is to bring more gambling activity under Finnish regulatory supervision while maintaining state control over certain gambling products.

The new system will cover online casino games, online slots, betting and online money bingo. Operators wishing to serve the Finnish market must obtain the appropriate Finnish licence and comply with national requirements concerning player protection, responsible gambling, technical security and regulatory oversight.

What Will Remain Under the Veikkaus Monopoly?

The reform does not completely eliminate Finland's gambling monopoly. Veikkaus will retain exclusive rights to certain products, including lotteries, scratch cards, physical slot machines and land-based casino games.

This creates a dual system in which licensed private operators can compete in specified online gambling categories, while Veikkaus continues to operate products reserved for the state-controlled monopoly.

Who Will Regulate Online Casinos?

During the transition period, gambling supervision remains the responsibility of the National Police Board.

From 1 July 2027, responsibility for supervising the new licensing system will transfer to the Finnish Supervisory Agency. The authority will oversee licensed operators and enforce compliance with the new regulatory framework.

Holding a gambling licence from another country, including an EU member state, will not be sufficient to operate in Finland. Each operator must obtain Finnish authorisation for the gambling services it intends to provide.

What Does the Reform Mean for Players?

For Finnish players, the most significant change will be the introduction of privately operated online casinos licensed and supervised in Finland.

The licensing system is intended to establish common requirements for player identification, responsible gambling, account monitoring and regulatory compliance.

However, these changes should not be confused with the rules currently in force. Until the new market opens in July 2027, Finland's existing gambling monopoly remains in place.

Casino Advertising, Bonuses and Affiliate Restrictions in Finland

Finland has some of Europe's strictest rules governing gambling advertising. Although the new Gambling Act will permit licensed operators to market certain gambling services from July 2027, advertising will remain subject to substantial restrictions.

The legislation distinguishes between authorised gambling marketing, prohibited promotional practices and independent editorial information about gambling laws.

Gambling Advertising Rules in 2026

Under the current legislation, Veikkaus is the only gambling operator permitted to advertise its services in mainland Finland, subject to restrictions designed to reduce gambling-related harm.

Foreign casino operators cannot legally target Finnish consumers with gambling advertising merely because they hold a licence in another jurisdiction.

The National Police Board considers several factors when assessing whether gambling marketing is directed at Finland, including language, content, imagery and the intended audience. Advertising in English can also fall within the prohibition if it targets Finnish consumers.

Will Casino Advertising Be Allowed From July 2027?

The new Gambling Act will allow licensed operators to advertise through specified channels, including television, radio, newspapers and their own websites.

However, the reform does not introduce unrestricted gambling advertising.

Influencer marketing and telephone-based direct marketing will be prohibited. Gambling advertising must not target minors or appear in media and events intended for children.

Advertising must also include information about the minimum gambling age and available gambling support services. Most advertising formats must identify the operator's licence and supervisory authority.

Are Casino Affiliates Allowed in Finland?

Affiliate marketing is a particularly sensitive area of Finnish gambling regulation.

The National Police Board explicitly identifies commercial casino comparison websites, gambling reviews containing promotional links and other commission-based referral arrangements as forms of gambling marketing.

Under the rules applicable in 2026, affiliate websites promoting foreign gambling operators to Finnish consumers are prohibited, even when the website or its operator is based outside Finland.

The licensing reform will not create a general right for independent affiliates to promote gambling services. The new legislation restricts permitted marketing channels, meaning that traditional affiliate acquisition models cannot be assumed to become lawful when the market opens.

Independent information about gambling legislation is different from commercial promotion, provided the content does not function as advertising or encourage participation through promotional arrangements.

Casino Bonuses and Promotional Offers

Finland's new Gambling Act also places restrictions on casino bonuses.

Under the framework taking effect in July 2027, licensed operators may offer limited bonus gambling funds to customers with an established relationship, subject to statutory conditions.

Bonus eligibility must not depend on the amount of money wagered or the time spent gambling. Bonus conditions must be transparent and understandable, and bonus funds cannot be exchanged directly for cash.

The law also limits wagering requirements on qualifying bonus funds to a maximum of five times.

These provisions should not be interpreted as permission for unrestricted welcome bonuses or aggressive acquisition campaigns. The reform is designed to allow limited customer benefits while restricting incentives that could encourage excessive gambling.

Are Online Casino Winnings Taxable in Finland?

The taxation of gambling winnings in Finland depends primarily on where and how the gambling activity is organised. Finnish tax rules distinguish between gambling organised in Finland or another European Economic Area (EEA) country and gambling organised outside the EEA.

Tax-Free Gambling Winnings

Under Section 85 of Finland's Income Tax Act, winnings from qualifying gambling activities organised in Finland or another EEA country are generally exempt from personal income tax.

This means that winnings from an appropriately licensed online casino operating within the EEA may qualify for tax-free treatment, even if the casino does not hold a Finnish gambling licence.

However, tax treatment and gambling authorisation are separate legal questions. Tax-free winnings do not mean that an overseas operator is authorised to market its services in Finland.

For online gambling, the Finnish Tax Administration considers factors including the operator's registered location and whether it holds the required gambling licence within the EEA.

Taxable Winnings From Non-EEA Casinos

Winnings from gambling organised outside the EEA are generally subject to Finnish income tax.

This may apply to online casinos operating under licences issued in jurisdictions outside the EEA, such as Curaçao.

Players should not assume that gambling winnings are tax-free simply because an online casino accepts Finnish customers or processes payments in euros.

A Recent Development in Gambling Taxation

In August 2026, a Finnish Supreme Administrative Court ruling clarified how taxable winnings from certain online slot machine games should be calculated.

The decision concerned the treatment of stakes and winnings within a gambling session, rather than treating every individual spin entirely separately.

This distinction may affect the calculation of taxable gambling income from non-EEA operators. However, it does not change the general distinction between qualifying EEA gambling winnings and taxable winnings from outside the EEA.

Players who receive taxable gambling winnings should consult the Finnish Tax Administration for guidance on reporting requirements and the treatment of gambling-related expenses.