TITLE: Finland's Ministry of the Interior Requests Consultation on Gambling Regulation Draft Decrees
BODY:
On June 10, 2026, Finland's Ministry of the Interior (Sisäministeriö) launched a public consultation on four draft decrees governing the implementation of the new gambling regulatory framework established by the Gambling Act (10/2026).
The consultation addresses draft decrees covering: the State Council's decree on gambling operations conducted by exclusive licence holders; the Ministry of the Interior's decree on game rules for exclusive licence holders; the Ministry of the Interior's decree establishing the commencement date for prize redemption periods; and the Ministry of the Interior's decree on gambling operations conducted by gambling licence holders. These decrees implement provisions of the Gambling Act, which the parliament approved on December 16, 2025, and which takes effect primarily on July 1, 2027.
The draft decrees aim to establish operational requirements and consumer protections under the new licensing system. The decree on exclusive licence holders' operations will regulate specific features of gambling games to prevent and reduce gambling-related harms. The decree on prize redemption will define when redemption periods commence for instant lottery games, electronic instant lottery games, gaming machines, and casino games operated by both exclusive and standard licence holders. The consultation seeks input from stakeholders including gambling operators, consumer protection organisations, public health bodies, and the general public.
Responses must be submitted by August 5, 2026, through the consultation portal (lausuntopalvelu.fi) or by email to kirjaamo.sm@gov.fi or post to the Ministry of the Interior. All submitted comments will be published, except private individuals' responses will only be published online if explicitly requested. The project's preparation period concludes on February 28, 2027.