Regulations of Gambling in Finland

The regulations surrounding gambling in Finland are put in place to help curb problem gambling. The government uses the proceeds that their casinos make to fund community projects. This system is considered the best way to reduce the adverse economic and social effects of problem gambling. There’s also no official blocking system in place at the moment. This means Finnish players do end up playing at offshore casinos even without a deposit, or “kasinot ilman talletusta.”

We asked an expert in this topic, Auli Wälkky, to help us understand the gambling regulations in Finland and what they mean for Finnish players. Below are a few of the most relevant laws and reforms for Finnish players. 

Laws and Restrictions

The definition of  the Finnish Lotteries Act is:

“An activity in which participants may win, in full or part, a prize of monetary value based on chance in which there is a charge for participation.”

The only casinos in Finland allowed to operate are those run by the state-owned operator Veikkaus Oy. 

The Lotteries Act is in place to protect players and curb problem gambling and crime. The Ministry of the Interior has sent out decrees regulating the maximum wins and losses a player can have in a session, the maximum number of slot games in a casino, rounding off wins, and how land-based and online casinos operate. 

The Lotteries Act enforces a minimum playing age of 18, and you must prove your age with personal details before you’re able to gamble anywhere. The law hasn’t been enforced as much at land-based slot machines. This is because Veikkaus Oy only requires you to give your age and place of residence when registering. This should change in the coming years as access to slot machines will be more regulated.

Laws in Finland also prevent casinos from advertising to minors. Casinos also cant advertise frequent, heavy gambling attached to a positive image. 

Who Regulates What?

The Ministry of the Interior in Finland and the gambling department of their National Police Board regulate all casino games. That includes slots, bingo, poker, sports, horse betting, and lotteries. Fantasy sports and esports aren’t expressly regulated in Finland. However, there are debates around classifying these games.

The National Police Board is responsible for regulating gambling and enforcement of these laws.

Why the Monopoly?

There are very few EU states that still have a gambling monopoly system. Because Finland is part of the EU, the gambling laws have to align with EU regulations. 

According to EU law, a country can only justify having a gambling monopoly if it is considered the best way to control problem gambling and the adverse socio-economic effects it has. The European Commission found in 2013 that Finland is justified to have a monopoly according to their laws. However, the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority and others have started to speak against this.

How Are the Laws Enforced?

As mentioned before, the National Police Board monitors and regulates the advertising and provision of gambling in Finland. If a casino markets itself in a way that promotes problem gambling or allows a minor to play at the casino, it might face a fine or even imprisonment. Under Finnish law, you can be imprisoned for up to two years for certain offences.

Some Things Are Changing

The National Lotteries Act is set to change soon. It was proposed in 2020 that banks and casinos block payments from operators that do not work according to Finnish laws. The proposal also included suggestions that the ban on advertisements from casinos that don’t follow the act be extended. 

Final Thoughts

Gambling regulations in Finland have been changed and debated over for years. It seems they’re still looking for the right formula to give their citizens enough choice and curb problem gambling.