TITLE: Finland's Ministry of the Interior Seeks Consultation on Gambling Regulations
BODY:
On June 10, 2026, Finland's Ministry of the Interior (Inrikesministeriet) launched a public consultation on four draft decrees establishing the regulatory framework for the country's new gambling licensing system.
The consultation concerns draft regulations addressing: the operation of gambling by exclusive licence holders; game rules for gambling organised by exclusive licence holders; the commencement of prize redemption periods for gambling; and the operation of gambling by general gambling licence holders. These decrees are issued under delegation provisions contained in the Gambling Act (10/2026), which parliament approved on December 16, 2025, and which takes effect primarily on July 1, 2027.
The Ministry of the Interior initiated a legislative project on October 23, 2023, to prepare these decrees as part of the transition to Finland's new licensing system. The project's mandate was extended to December 17, 2025, and now runs until February 28, 2027. The draft regulations aim to establish operational requirements for both exclusive and general licence holders, including provisions to prevent and mitigate gambling harms. The decree on prize redemption periods applies to rapid lotteries, electronic rapid lotteries, money machine games, and casino games classified as money lotteries, regardless of licence type.
Responses to the consultation must be submitted by August 5, 2026, preferably through the online consultation portal Lausuntopalvelu.fi. Responses may also be submitted by email to registratorskontoret.im@gov.fi or by post, referencing case number VN/27332/2023. All submissions are generally public under Finnish transparency legislation, with exceptions for individuals who request confidentiality in writing.