TITLE: Finland's Ministry of The Interior Launches Consultation on Gambling Regulations Implementing New Gambling Act
BODY:
On June 10, 2026, Finland's Ministry of The Interior opened a public consultation on four draft regulations implementing provisions of the new Gambling Act (10/2026). The consultation seeks feedback on regulations governing the implementation of gambling by exclusive licence holders, game rules for exclusive licence holders, the commencement of prize redemption periods, and gambling implementation by standard gambling licence holders.
The consultation responds to the government's legislative proposal for a new gambling system (HE 16/2025), which parliament approved on December 16, 2025. The new Gambling Act enters into force primarily on July 1, 2027. The Ministry of The Interior is preparing these implementing regulations as part of the transition to a licensing system framework. The draft regulations address several key areas: the State Council regulation establishes rules for exclusive licence holders' gambling operations under sections 31(2) and 31(3) of the Gambling Act; the Ministry regulation on game rules sets out requirements for exclusive licence holders under sections 31(6) and 31(7); a regulation on prize redemption periods defines when redemption periods commence for instant lotteries, electronic instant lotteries, gaming machines, and casino games under section 50(6); and a regulation on standard licence holders' gambling operations establishes requirements for certain gambling characteristics to prevent and reduce gambling harms under section 32(3).
The consultation period closes on August 5, 2026. Responses can be submitted through the consultation service at lausuntopalvelu.fi or by email to [email protected] or by post to the Ministry of The Interior, PL 26, 00023 Valtioneuvosto, referencing file number VN/27332/2023. All submitted comments will be published on the project page at valtioneuvosto.fi/hankkeet (project code SM053:00/2023), except private individuals' responses which require written permission for publication.
REFERENCES:
https://lausuntopalvelu.fi/
https://valtioneuvosto.fi/hankkeet