A factual timeline of Finland's gambling reform, based on official Finnish sources. Dates are taken from the Gambling Act, the Ministry of the Interior and the Finnish Police. We will update this page if official dates change.
2025
March 2025 — The government proposal on the new gambling system (HE 16/2025 vp) is submitted to Parliament. (Ministry of the Interior)
16 December 2025 — Parliament adopts the new Gambling Act and related acts. (Ministry of the Interior)
2026
16 January 2026 — The President of the Republic approves the acts. (Ministry of the Interior)
20 January 2026 — The Gambling Act is published in the Finnish Statute Book as 10/2026. (Finlex)
1 March 2026 — The licensing provisions of the Act enter into force, and the National Police Board starts accepting licence applications. (Gambling Act, Ministry of the Interior)
2 March 2026 — Gambling licence applications can be submitted through the regional administration's online service. (Finnish Police)
During 2026 — The National Police Board processes gambling licence and exclusive licence applications. (Finnish Police)
2027
Until 30 June 2027 — Veikkaus Oy retains the exclusive right to offer and market gambling in mainland Finland; no other company may run or market gambling games. (Ministry of the Interior, Finnish Police)
1 July 2027 — Finland’s new Gambling Act enters into force mainly on 1 July 2027. Parts of the licensing framework started earlier (from March 2026), and software licensing requirements apply later, from 2028. Licensed operators may begin marketing under the new regime from 1 July 2027, subject to their licence and the applicable regulatory requirements. (Gambling Act, Ministry of the Interior)
1 July 2027 — Licensing and supervision move from the National Police Board to the new supervisory authority (Lupa- ja valvontavirasto). (Gambling Act, Finnish Police)
From July 2027 — Applications for gambling software licences can be submitted. (Finnish Police)
2028
1 July 2028 — The software licence requirement applies: gambling software used by licensed operators may only be supplied by holders of a software licence. (Gambling Act)
What the timeline means for marketing
- Before 1 July 2027, only Veikkaus may market gambling in mainland Finland.
- Licensed operators may begin marketing under the new regime from 1 July 2027, subject to their licence and the applicable regulatory requirements, and only within the Act's permitted channels — see gambling advertising rules in Finland.
- Influencers' own channels remain outside the channels permitted by section 51 — see can gambling companies use influencers in Finland?
For planning, use our Finland iGaming market entry checklist or read about iGaming market entry in Finland.
