This week, Finland’s Ministry of the Interior unveiled four new draft regulations pursuant to the recently approved Gambling Act (10/2026). The proposed regulations introduce several restrictions in the gambling sector, including limitations on player losses and maximum stakes. Scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2027, these measures are part of Finland's ongoing iGaming liberalization efforts.
Despite up to 50 operator license applications already submitted, uncertainty around player protection measures has raised concerns among stakeholders in recent months. Antti Koivula, chief commercial officer of Hippos ATG, described the new regulations as "restrictive, but not quite Germany. Perhaps not even the Netherlands, at least not yet," highlighting the stringent regulations in those markets.
Koivula also mentioned on his LinkedIn page, "That said, more regulation and regulative guidance to come so keep your fingers crossed."
An ongoing consultation is open for public and industry feedback until August 5, 2026. The proposed measures are not finalized and may be adjusted based on the responses received during this period.
To address issues related to electronic slot-style games, the draft regulations mandate that each spin must be manually initiated, prohibiting auto-spins or autoplay. Spins are required to last a minimum of 2.5 seconds, with no options for players to shorten animations. There will be a requirement for transparency in cases where player choices have no effect on random outcomes, and players will receive mandatory play-time reminders every 15 minutes, needing to confirm whether to continue or log out, except in player-versus-player casino games. Additionally, uniform deadlines for claiming prizes are suggested to enhance clarity.
The government also outlined minimum return-to-player (RTP) rates that operators must adhere to across various game types. The aim is to ensure fair returns for consumers while allowing for regulatory oversight. Slot machines and casino table games would require an RTP range of 70%-99.9%, while daily-draw betting games would be set at about 50%-70%. For online betting products, the RTP must be between 55%-80%.
To promote responsible gambling, the proposals introduce aggregate loss limits and maximum stakes for players, which vary by game type and player age. For online slots, players under 25 will have a maximum stake of €10 per spin, while players aged 25 and older will have a limit of €20 per spin.
The draft regulations also propose daily loss limits for physical slots, capped at €500, with monthly and annual limits of €2,000 and €24,000, respectively. Strengthened restrictions on gambling venue infrastructure aim to limit accessibility, with a maximum of 10,000 slot machines allowed across retail outlets, 2,000 in dedicated gaming halls, and 400 in the sole licensed casino in Helsinki. Gaming halls would be restricted to 60 nationwide, with table games capped at 100 per hall.
Only one land-based casino will be allowed in Helsinki, with public access from midday to 4 AM daily. These measures reflect the new age-based annual and checkpoint loss limits established by state-owned operator Veikkaus, including an annual loss limit of €8,000 for individuals aged 18-19, while there will be no loss limit for players over 25.
