Draft decrees under Finland’s Gambling Act have been sent out for comment by the Ministry of the Interior. This process ends on August 5, 2026, giving operators, suppliers, and other parties a short window to contribute their views before the decrees are finalized.
Finland is partly opening its gambling market by bringing betting, online slots, online casino games, and online money bingo under a licensing model. Licensed gambling services can begin on July 1, 2027.
Slot Stakes Take Centre Stage
The most obvious restriction is related to online slots. In the draft, the highest stake for these games would amount to €20 per spin, with €10 for people under 25 years old.
This approach results in the creation of two distinct segments of products in one casino market. The operators would have to introduce age-related restrictions into their accounts system, game launches, and control mechanisms.
These limitations probably will not prevent big players from establishing themselves on the Finnish market. They still clearly define Finland’s approach to introducing its casino market. Finland is not about to develop its casino segment in an unrestricted way.
Autoplay and Fast Spins Face Limits
The draft rules also address game mechanics. Autoplay would be prohibited. Users would not be able to fast-forward to the result of a spin. Also, slot rounds would need to last at least 2.5 seconds.
The rules would directly affect operators and would likely require suppliers to adapt game settings for Finland. Certain games might require a localized version, and platform management will be forced to make sure the game settings can’t be adjusted against Finnish regulations.
There will be a mandatory message displayed every 15 minutes. Then, the user should decide whether to continue playing or quit the game.
That could be the most noticeable change for players. It would interrupt longer sessions directly inside the game flow.
Consultation Comes Before Final Rules
The drafts are part of a larger gambling reform in Finland. Veikkaus keeps its monopoly on gambling services until the end of June 2027. After the reform, it will still retain exclusive rights over lottery-type games, scratch cards, physical slot machines, and land-based casino games.
As regards the licensees, the consultation process is no formality at all because the details of how each product will be designed, tested for compliance, and contractual terms set up will depend on the outcome.
The same applies to B2B suppliers. Software licensing will become part of the new framework, so companies targeting Finnish-facing operators should prepare early.
Bottom Line
Finland’s draft rules show the market will be open, but not loose. The key issue is no longer whether operators want a Finnish licence. Many do. The harder question is whether their products can meet local rules without rushed fixes. Stake limits, autoplay bans, and timed reminders may look narrow on paper, but they reach deep into game design and platform operations.
