Online casinos in Finland are currently governed by a monopoly system, but that system is already scheduled to change. As of September 2026, Veikkaus Oy retains the exclusive right to provide and market gambling services in mainland Finland until 30 June 2027. From 1 July 2027, Finland will move to a licensing system under the new Gambling Act, allowing approved private operators to offer online casino games and betting services.
Quick facts about online casinos Finland:
- Veikkaus remains the exclusive gambling operator in mainland Finland through 30 June 2027.
- Finland’s new Gambling Act, Act 10/2026, will largely take effect on 1 July 2027.
- Gambling licence applications have been accepted since 1 March 2026, but licences cannot become operational before July 2027.
- Gambling is restricted to people aged 18 or older.
- From July 2027, players will be able to identify approved operators through a Finnish licence number and supervisory authority details.
The distinction between the current monopoly and the incoming licence system matters particularly for players comparing foreign online casinos. A licence from Malta, Estonia or another jurisdiction does not currently give an operator permission to target mainland Finland.
Are Online Casinos Legal in Finland?
Online gambling is legal in Finland when it is organised according to Finnish gambling legislation. Until 30 June 2027, the Lotteries Act gives Veikkaus Oy the exclusive right to organise gambling in mainland Finland. Other operators are not permitted to provide or market gambling services when their activities are directed at Finland.
This creates an important distinction between whether a foreign casino website is technically accessible and whether the operator is authorised to target Finnish consumers. A website being accessible from Finland does not automatically make its gambling services authorised under Finnish law.
A foreign gambling licence also does not replace Finnish authorisation. An official licence issued by another country does not entitle an operator to market gambling services in mainland Finland.
Finland’s current enforcement system primarily focuses on operators, marketers and payment service providers. Where a payment provider fails to stop a transaction covered by a Finnish payment block, the player is not held liable merely because the transaction was completed.
Finland Online Casino Laws: Current System vs New Licensing System
The most important date in Finland online casino laws is 1 July 2027.
| Area | Until 30 June 2027 | From 1 July 2027 |
| Main legislation | Lotteries Act | Gambling Act 10/2026 |
| Online gambling model | Veikkaus monopoly | Partially competitive licensing system |
| Private online casinos | Cannot legally target Finland without the required Finnish right to operate | May operate with a valid Finnish gambling licence |
| Main regulator | National Police Board | Supervisory Agency |
| Casino advertising | Generally restricted to Veikkaus under current rules | Finnish licence holders may market under Gambling Act restrictions |
| Player identification | Required within the Veikkaus system | Licence holders subject to Finnish identification and compliance requirements |
| Central self-exclusion | Current operator-based safeguards | Centralised self-exclusion register |
| Minimum age | 18 | 18 |
The new Gambling Act was confirmed in January 2026 and will largely enter into force on 1 July 2027. Operators have been able to submit licence applications since 1 March 2026, giving authorities time to process applications and prepare operators before the competitive market starts.
What Will a Finnish Online Casino Licence Cover?
The new competitive gambling licence can cover internet casino games and several forms of betting. Finland’s legislation specifically provides for licences covering electronic casino games, electronic bingo, electronic slot-machine games and several betting formats.
A Finnish gambling licence can be issued for a maximum of five years. Receiving the licence does not immediately allow an operator to start accepting Finnish players. The operator must also complete required audits and technical integration with Finland’s supervisory systems before gambling and marketing can begin.
Finland is also introducing a separate gaming software licensing layer. From 1 July 2028, supplying software used for regulated Finnish gambling services will require the appropriate software licence. Applications for these software licences can begin from July 2027.
How to Identify a Licensed Finnish Online Casino From July 2027?
A legitimate Finnish-licensed online casino should make its regulatory status easy to verify rather than hiding licensing information in small print.
Licensed operators must provide players with:
- the Finnish gambling licence number;
- identification of the supervisory authority;
- the gambling age limit;
- information about gambling-control tools;
- information about services that help people experiencing gambling problems;
- game rules, instructions and prices;
- information about winning probabilities where required;
- information explaining the risk of gambling harm.
This information must be available in both Finnish and Swedish and must be easily accessible to the player.
For someone choosing among online casinos Finland after July 2027, the Finnish licence number should therefore become one of the first checks. A familiar casino brand or an EU licence alone will not be enough.
Do Malta or Other EU Casino Licences Make a Casino Legal in Finland?
No. A Malta Gaming Authority licence, Estonian licence or another foreign authorisation does not by itself permit an operator to market gambling services in Finland.
Until June 2027, Veikkaus has the exclusive right to market gambling services in mainland Finland. From July 2027, operators targeting Finland will need the appropriate Finnish licence.
This distinction is important because casino review sites sometimes describe an operator as “licensed” without explaining where the licence applies. A casino can be properly licensed in one jurisdiction while lacking permission to target players in another.
When the Finnish licensing system begins, Finnish regulatory status should be checked separately from any MGA, UKGC, Estonian or other licence displayed by the casino.
What About Åland?
Mainland Finland and the Åland Islands should not always be treated as the same gambling jurisdiction. Current Finnish guidance on the monopoly specifically refers to mainland Finland, and current payment-block measures do not apply to consumers living in Åland.
Players and operators dealing specifically with Åland should therefore check the rules applying to the autonomous region rather than assuming that every mainland Finnish gambling rule applies identically.
Payment Blocks for Foreign Casinos
Finland currently uses payment blocking as one enforcement measure against gambling companies that unlawfully market their services to mainland Finland.
The National Police Board can place operators subject to relevant prohibition decisions on a payment-block list. Payment service providers and virtual-currency service providers must then block outgoing player payments covered by those restrictions. The current payment-block system remains in place until the end of June 2027.
Payment blocking does not mean every payment to every foreign online casino is automatically blocked. It applies according to the regulatory measures and operator list maintained by the authorities.
Players should not attempt to use payment availability as proof that a casino is legally authorised. A successful card, bank or crypto transaction says nothing by itself about the casino’s Finnish regulatory status.
Are Online Casino Winnings Tax-Free in Finland?
Casino winnings in Finland are not automatically tax-free simply because a casino accepts Finnish players.
Finnish taxation depends partly on where and under what legal framework the gambling is organised. Under Finland’s Income Tax Act, qualifying winnings from gambling legally organised within the European Economic Area can receive different tax treatment from gambling organised outside the EU/EEA. Winnings from gambling organised outside Finland and outside the EU/EEA are generally taxable income.
From 1 July 2027, Finnish-licensed operators will become subject to Finnish lottery tax. The rate for licensed gambling operators will be 22% of gambling revenue, or gambling margin. Winnings covered by the Finnish lottery-tax system can be tax-exempt for the recipient.
Tax treatment can become complicated with offshore companies, corporate structures and non-EEA operators. Players receiving substantial winnings should verify their individual situation with the Finnish Tax Administration rather than relying solely on a casino’s marketing claims.
Casino Advertising and Bonuses in Finland
Online casino marketing is tightly regulated in Finland. Until 30 June 2027, only Veikkaus is generally permitted to market gambling services in mainland Finland.
The legal concept of marketing is broad. It can include conventional advertising, affiliate promotion, social media activity, commercial articles, links, logos, bonus promotions and indirect advertising intended to increase demand for gambling services.
From 1 July 2027, Finnish licence holders will be permitted to market gambling subject to the restrictions contained in the new Gambling Act.
Players should still treat aggressive promotions cautiously. A large welcome bonus does not make one casino safer or better than another. Wagering conditions, withdrawal restrictions, eligible games, maximum stakes and bonus expiration rules can significantly change the practical value of a promotion.
How to Choose an Online Casino for Finland
Before 1 July 2027, the clearest legally authorised gambling option in mainland Finland remains Veikkaus. After the licence market opens, Finnish players should prioritise operators that can be independently verified as Finnish licence holders.
- Verify the Finnish licence. Look for the licence number and regulator information once the new system begins.
- Confirm the operator identity. The company accepting deposits should match the entity associated with the licence.
- Read withdrawal rules before depositing. Check identity verification, processing requirements and potential withdrawal restrictions.
- Check game and bonus conditions separately. A casino licence does not mean every promotional offer is equally useful.
- Use gambling controls. Deposit limits, time limits and self-exclusion matter more than promotional features if gambling becomes difficult to control.
- Check tax implications for offshore gambling. Do not assume all foreign casino winnings receive the same Finnish tax treatment.
From July 2027, Finland’s official licence register should be the strongest starting point because the licence confirms that the operator is subject to Finnish gambling supervision.
Common Misunderstandings About Finland Online Casino Laws
“An EU licence means the casino is licensed in Finland”
It does not. A foreign licence confirms authorisation in the relevant licensing jurisdiction. It does not replace a Finnish licence or Finland’s current monopoly rules.
“If the website works in Finland, it must be legal”
Website accessibility is not a licensing test. An offshore casino can be technically accessible without being authorised to target the Finnish market.
“All foreign casino winnings are tax-free”
Tax treatment depends on factors including where the gambling is organised and whether the relevant legal requirements are satisfied. Non-EEA casino winnings may be taxable.
“Finland already has an open casino market because licences are being issued”
Licence applications have been accepted since March 2026, but licensed competitive gambling cannot start before 1 July 2027. The monopoly remains in effect until then.
Responsible Gambling in Finland
Finland’s gambling regulation is designed not only to control operators but also to reduce financial, social and health-related gambling harm.
One major change arriving with the new system is a centralised self-exclusion register. From 1 July 2027, players will be able to use strong authentication to exclude themselves from licensed gambling services. A player can choose a defined period or an open-ended exclusion. If no period is specified, the exclusion lasts for at least one year.
Casino games should be treated as entertainment rather than as a source of income. Slots, roulette and other games based on chance cannot provide guaranteed profits, and previous results do not predict the next outcome. Set spending and time limits before playing and stop if gambling begins affecting money needed for everyday expenses.
How This Information Was Reviewed
This guide is based on the Finnish Gambling Act 10/2026, current guidance from the National Police Board and information published by the Finnish Tax Administration. The regulatory transition dates, licence requirements, payment restrictions, player-protection measures and tax principles were checked against official Finnish information available in September 2026.
Finland’s gambling system is currently in a transition period, so casino licence decisions, regulatory guidance and implementation details may continue to develop before 1 July 2027. Players should verify the operator’s current licence status and applicable terms before depositing money.
FAQ
Are online casinos legal in Finland?
Yes, online gambling can be legally provided in Finland, but the operator must have the appropriate right to offer the service. Until 30 June 2027, Veikkaus holds the exclusive right to organise gambling in mainland Finland. From 1 July 2027, approved private operators will be able to provide online casino services under Finnish licences.
When will Finland’s new casino licensing system start?
Finland’s new competitive gambling licensing system starts on 1 July 2027. Operators have been able to apply for licences since 1 March 2026, but no licence can authorise commercial operations before July 2027.
Can foreign online casinos accept Finnish players?
A foreign casino’s accessibility does not prove that it is authorised to target Finland. Until 30 June 2027, Veikkaus retains the exclusive right to offer and market gambling in mainland Finland. From July 2027, operators targeting Finland will need the appropriate Finnish licence.
Is an MGA licence enough for Finland?
No. An MGA or another foreign gambling licence does not replace Finnish authorisation. A gambling licence issued by another country does not provide the right to market gambling services in mainland Finland.
What is the minimum gambling age in Finland?
The minimum gambling age in Finland is 18. The age requirement applies to gambling services, and licensed operators must clearly provide information about the age limit.
How can I check whether a Finnish online casino is licensed?
From July 2027, check the casino’s Finnish licence number and the identification of the Finnish supervisory authority. Licence information should make it easier for players to distinguish regulated operators from illegal gambling services.
Are casino winnings taxable in Finland?
Some casino winnings are tax-free, while others can be taxable. Gambling legally organised within qualifying Finnish or EEA frameworks can receive tax-exempt treatment, while winnings from gambling organised outside the EU/EEA are generally taxable. The exact treatment should be checked with the Finnish Tax Administration when significant amounts or offshore operators are involved.
Will Finland still have Veikkaus after 2027?
Yes. The reform partially opens the gambling market rather than simply eliminating the state gambling system. Private operators will be able to compete in licensed areas such as online casino games and betting, while an exclusive-licence structure remains for certain gambling products.
Does Finland have a national gambling self-exclusion system?
It will from 1 July 2027. The new centralised self-exclusion register will allow players to exclude themselves from licensed gambling services through an authority-operated system using strong authentication.
Short Conclusion
Finland online casino laws are undergoing their biggest structural change in years. As of September 2026, Veikkaus still holds the exclusive right to provide and market gambling in mainland Finland, but that monopoly for competitive online gambling ends on 30 June 2027. From 1 July 2027, private online casinos will be able to serve the Finnish market when they hold a valid Finnish gambling licence and comply with local supervision, player-protection and marketing requirements.
For players, the practical rule is simple: do not judge a casino by website accessibility, bonuses or a foreign licence alone. Check the Finnish regulatory status, withdrawal terms and tax position before depositing, and treat casino gambling as entertainment rather than a way to earn money.
