Finland’s Ministry of the Interior has unveiled a set of draft regulations aimed at tightening controls on the iGaming sector, as part of the ongoing implementation of the country’s newly enacted Gambling Act. Announced this week, the draft regulations propose several measures, including the prohibition of autoplay features and the establishment of maximum betting limits for slot machines. These changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2027, and are intended to enhance consumer protection amidst Finland’s broader efforts to liberalize its iGaming market. Despite the submission of approximately 50 operator license applications, the industry’s stakeholders have expressed concerns over the clarity and effectiveness of player protection measures.
The draft regulations seek to address potential gambling-related harm by imposing strict controls on online gameplay. Among the proposed measures, each spin on electronic slot games must be initiated manually, with autoplay functionalities being completely banned. Additionally, the duration of each spin is required to be at least 2.5 seconds, and players will not have the option to shorten or skip animations. Transparency is another focus, with operators being mandated to clearly disclose when player decisions do not influence game outcomes.
In an effort to further promote responsible gambling, the regulations introduce mandatory play-time reminders. These alerts will occur every 15 minutes, prompting players to choose between continuing to play or logging out, with an exception for player-versus-player casino games. To simplify the administrative process, uniform deadlines for prize claims have also been proposed.
The Finnish government has also outlined mandatory return-to-player (RTP) rates for various game types, which are intended to ensure fair play while safeguarding consumer interests. Operators will be required to maintain RTP rates between 70% and 99.9% for slot machines and casino table games, while daily-draw betting games must have RTP rates ranging from 50% to 70%. Online betting products are expected to offer RTP rates of 55% to 80%.
The draft regulations further propose aggregate loss limits and maximum stakes, differentiated by game type and player age. For online slot games, players under 25 will be subject to a maximum stake limit of €10 per spin, while older players can wager up to €20 per spin. These measures are designed to curb excessive gambling and protect younger players.
Additionally, physical slot machines face new restrictions under the draft, including daily, monthly, and annual loss limits. Players may not lose more than €500 daily, €2,000 monthly, or €24,000 annually at physical slots. The suggested regulations also include infrastructure caps to limit accessibility, with a proposed allocation of 10,000 slot machines across retail outlets, 2,000 in dedicated gaming halls, and 400 at Helsinki’s sole licensed casino.
State-owned operator Veikkaus will adhere to the new age-based loss limits, which permit annual losses of up to €8,000 for players aged 18-19, with no cap for those over 25. The maximum number of gaming halls is set at 60 nationwide, each permitted a maximum of 100 table games. The Helsinki casino will be the only land-based casino in Finland, operating daily from noon to 4 a.m.
As Finland moves forward with these regulatory changes, industry stakeholders have been invited to participate in an ongoing consultation process, which will remain open until August 5, 2026. This period allows for public and industry input, and the proposed regulations may be adjusted based on feedback received during this time.
Comments from within the industry echo cautious optimism and concern over the potential impacts of these regulations. Antti Koivula, chief commercial officer of Hippos ATG, remarked on LinkedIn that while the measures are restrictive, they do not mirror the stringent regulatory environments of Germany and the Netherlands. However, he noted the possibility of further regulatory guidance and developments in the future.
The outcome of the consultation process will likely influence the finalization of these regulations, and industry participants are urged to prepare for potential compliance requirements. As Finland continues to refine its approach to iGaming regulation, operators and players alike await the implementation of these measures, which aim to balance market liberalization with robust consumer protection. The next steps will involve reviewing feedback from the consultation, potential revisions to the draft, and the commencement of enforcement on the proposed timeline.
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