The Finnish Administrative Committee has submitted its report regarding proposals for the country’s incoming regulated market, suggesting its rollout should be pushed back by six months.
The government submitted its final proposals for the new-look market in March, which would allow for multiple operators to operate in the Scandinavian country.
This, in turn, would put an end to the monopoly on the market currently enjoyed by state-owned operator Veikkaus.
The market was scheduled to launch in January 2027, with licence applications being submitted next year. B2B licences would be awarded in 2028.
However, the Administrative Committee is proposing to delay the market launch, with a view to rolling out the licensed model on 1 July 2027.
The Committee is suggesting that the licensing process for potential operators begin from March 2026, with a view to being ready for the 2027 launch.
In addition to the delayed rollout, the Administrative Committee is also calling on the government to introduce a gambling ban register which allows players to set loss limits for themselves across all operators, as well as monitor channelisation and problem gambling rates and pay close attention to the country’s horseracing industry during the transition period.
In addition to the Committee’s proposals, Finland’s opposing political parties including the Left Alliance and the Green Party have submitted a host of amendments to the proposed legislation.
Among them is a proposal to raise the gambling age limit in Finland from 18 to 20 years of age.
Additional amendments to the bill were to limit gambling advertising on TV, radio and at sporting events, with a ban on all marketing to people under the age of 24.
Other proposed marketing restrictions included a total ban on gambling-related bonuses, as well as the inclusion of warning labels on gambling games similar to those on tobacco products.
The Left Alliance’s objections stated: “In the proposed model, even the most harmful forms of gambling would be allowed to be marketed, which is a significant weakening of the current state of marketing from the perspective of preventing and reducing gambling harm.
“Gambling games differ in terms of their harmfulness. The forms of gambling planned to be transferred to the licensing system (such as online slot machines, casino table games and betting) are the most harmful and addictive games and their marketing is currently only allowed in special gaming halls and casinos.
“Allowing marketing is likely to increase the number and severity of gambling harm experienced.”
Centralised loss and money transfer limits for all licence holders and mandatory two-factor authentication for gambling accounts were also proposed, as was raising the tax rate for lottery products from 22% to 25.5%.
The bill will next be entered into a debate on 10 December as part of parliament’s plenary session.
In addition to the proposed changes to the gambling bill, current monopoly operator Veikkaus has announced changes to its executive team.
Current deputy CEO Velipekka Nummikoski is set to step down from his post in January 2026.
He will transition to a role within CEO Olli Sarekoski’s executive office, with the company refraining from appointing a new deputy CEO.
Nummikoski, who has served as deputy CEO since 2017, had also been in charge of public affairs at Veikkaus.
That responsibility will transfer over to director Tuomo Puumala from 1 January onwards.
Nummikoski said: “Being a member of Veikkaus’ executive team has in many ways been a dream come true. I have had the opportunity to play an active role in shaping Finland’s gambling system, first through the merger of the gaming companies and ultimately through the reform of the entire system.
“In short, I have been able to be part of making history. Now is a good moment to pass the baton on, as the system reform is in its final stage in parliament and a new era in Veikkaus’ business is about to begin.”
Sarekoski added: “I would like to thank Nummikoski for his many years of valuable work in the executive team for the benefit of Finland’s gaming companies and, through them, all Finns.
“His contribution, for example to the preparation of the new Gambling Act, has been extremely significant.”
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The post Finnish parliamentary committee proposes delay to licensed market rollout first appeared on EGR Intel.
Administrative Committee suggests pushing back gambling bill’s implementation by six months, with political parties calling for a slew of amendments to the legislation
The post Finnish parliamentary committee proposes delay to licensed market rollout first appeared on EGR Intel.