On July 3, Finland’s Ministry of the Interior released draft legislation aimed at overhauling the country’s gambling regulations. The draft, which remains open for public consultation until August 18, 2024, marks a significant shift in Finland’s gambling policy. Currently, Finland maintains the EU’s last comprehensive monopoly on online gambling. The proposed law seeks to introduce a licensing system for various online gambling and betting sectors.
The proposed legislation aims to dismantle Finland’s longstanding monopoly on online gambling. This shift aligns Finland with other EU countries that have moved towards competitive markets. By allowing multiple operators to obtain licenses, the Finnish government hopes to foster a regulated and competitive gambling environment. This change promises to enhance consumer protection, increase tax revenues, and reduce the appeal of unregulated offshore gambling sites.
Industry Reactions
The draft legislation has garnered positive feedback from industry leaders. Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), welcomed the proposal. He stated, “The publication of the draft legislation is a welcome and essential step towards meaningful gambling reform in Finland. This signals the end of comprehensive online gambling monopolies in the EU, as Finland is the last member state that still has a monopoly for online gambling. We look forward to reviewing the draft legislation over the coming weeks and engaging in continued dialogue with the Finnish Government and local stakeholders as the regulatory discussions progress.”
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