The council, called Lainsäädännön arviointineuvosto, reviews pending legislation in the country and evaluates where it may be lacking. It published its evaluation on the new gambling legislation on 2 January, including questioning how Finland’s new framework could increase gambling harms.  

This is compared to the current system under which only the monopoly operator can legally provide online gambling to consumers.

By opening up to commercial competition, it is thought that gambling-related harms could increase due to the number of players rising. However, it is likely that a significant number of players are using the grey market currently which provides no legal protection against these gambling harms.  

“The proposal should describe in more detail the risks it poses to the fulfilment of the duty of care if gambling harm increases,” the council’s report said.  

“What does the increase in gambling harm mean for the compatibility of the proposal with EU law?”

Finland preparing for January 2026 gambling reform launch  

Finland is preparing to launch its regulated gambling sector in January 2026. Its draft legislation was submitted to the European Commission on 1 November for review. From there it will go to parliament early this year for debate and final approval.  

It submitted the framework to the legislative review council on 2 December.  

Mika Kuismanen, CEO of Finnish online gambling trade body Rahapeliala Ry, told iGB the law will likely be approved by parliament before midsummer [June 2025].  

Council asks what preventative measures will be enforced 

In its review, the council welcomed the legislation’s mention of gambling harms, but it believes the framework suggests an increase in gambling harms will be experienced in the jurisdiction once the new law is in place.  

For this reason, it is calling for more information on how this increase could impact the services that help resolve these harmful behaviours. It also wants more information of what preventative actions will be carried out, beyond the government-enforced checks.  

“The legislative review council believes that the bill should have assessed various options in more detail from the perspective of reducing the harm caused by gambling, taking into account, for example, the effects of different lottery tax rates, centralised spending limits or the age [restrictions],” the council’s statement said.  

Overall, it believes the government’s draft proposal meets the requirements of the impact assessment guidelines for new legislation.