Finland steps up enforcement against illegal gambling ahead of market liberalisation

The National Police Board has issued four prohibition decisions and imposed six conditional fines this year as it prepares for the transition to competitive regulated online gambling in Finland.

Key takeaways:

• Finland’s National Police Board has intensified enforcement against illegal gambling marketing in 2026, issuing four prohibition orders and six conditional fines targeting promotions on websites, social media and livestreaming platforms.
• Conditional fines have ranged from €30,000 to €200,000 for individuals and from €100,000 to €1.2m for companies.
• The enforcement push comes as Finland prepares to end the Veikkaus monopoly and open its online gambling market to licensed operators in July 2027. The regulator had received 75 licence applications as of September 22.

Finland.- The Finnish gambling regulator says it has stepped up action against the promotion of unlicensed gambling services, issuing a series of prohibition orders and conditional fines ahead of the transition to a competitive regulated online gambling market in Finland. The Finnish Gambling Administration, which operates under the National Police Board, says it has increased enforcement activity during 2026, targeting companies and individuals accused of advertising unauthorised gambling services to consumers in mainland Finland.

By mid-2026, the authority had issued four prohibition decisions and imposed six conditional fines for breaches of Finland’s Lotteries Act. The measures focused on gambling promotions distributed through websites, social media channels and live-streaming platforms, which regulators identified as key routes for reaching Finnish consumers.

The conditional fines for individuals ranged from €30,000 to €200,000, while corporate entities faced fines of between €100,000 and €1.2m. Where prohibition orders were ignored, collected fines for individuals have ranged from €20,000 to €100,000.

Juhani Wallinvirta, head of group at the National Police Board, said the penalties are designed to halt unlawful activity quickly.

”The imposition of a conditional fine may be considered necessary to ensure an immediate and effective end to the illegal marketing of gambling. The purpose of the conditional fine is not to punish illegal activities, but to reinforce compliance with the prohibition decision and to ensure that illegal marketing actually ceases. Under existing law, only Veikkaus Oy has the right to market gambling games in mainland Finland,” he said.

Officials said they have seen a rise in illegal marketing across digital channels, particularly social media platforms and gaming livestreams, where influencers and operators can readily direct Finnish players towards offshore and other unauthorised gambling offerings. They say such activity can do more than simply inform consumers about gambling services, potentially encouraging greater participation and increasing the risk of gambling-related harm.

The enforcement drive is taking place as Finland prepares to overhaul its gambling framework. Veikkaus’s monopoly is to end in July 2027, when Finland opens its gambling market to licensed private operators. The National Police Board reported last month that it had received 75 applications for new Finnish online gambling licences by September 22, more than expected.

The Finnish Gambling Administration is currently managed by the National Police Board of Finland (Arpajashallinto), which regulates, supervises, and enforces gambling laws under the current state-monopoly system. The administration’s responsibilities will pass to the Finnish Supervisory Agency when the market goes live.

FAQs

How many online gambling licence applications has Finland received so far?
The National Police Board had received 75 licence applications by September 22, up from 50 applications recorded in June.

When will Finland’s new licensed online gambling market begin?
Finland’s licensed online gambling market is scheduled to launch on July 1 2027, when Veikkaus’ monopoly over the sector will end.

What is happening to Veikkaus ahead of the liberalisation of Finland’s online gambling market?
Veikkaus has created two subsidiaries and is restructuring its online business to help it compete with private operators expected to enter the newly licensed market.