Finland’s Gambling Reform Advances, but Opposition Remains Stiff
Finland's parliament rejected opposition amendments to its online gambling bill, paving the way for market liberalization in 2027.Summary
Finland’s gambling reform is progressing after parliament rejected amendments proposed by opposition parties, allowing the government’s online gambling bill to move forward largely unchanged. The legislation aims to replace Finland’s existing online gambling monopoly with a multi-licensing system, a move that has sparked debate regarding consumer protection, advertising, and the speed of liberalization. Opposition parties proposed stricter regulations, including raising the legal gambling age, implementing mandatory two-factor authentication, and imposing stricter advertising restrictions, but these were overwhelmingly defeated by a vote of 153-21. Industry experts, like Antti Koivula of Hippos ATG, believe further changes are unlikely without a significant shift in government. The new licensing regime is expected to be fully implemented by 2027, with 2026 dedicated to operator approvals and final preparations.
(Source：Gamblingnews)