TITLE: Finland's Ministry of The Interior Establishes Regulatory Framework for Exclusive Gaming Licence Holder Operations
BODY:
On an unspecified date in 2027, Finland's Ministry of The Interior issued a draft government decree establishing operational requirements for the holder of an exclusive gaming licence under the Gambling Act (10/2026). The decree sets comprehensive rules governing the organisation of money gaming activities including gaming machines, casino games, betting games, money lotteries, and instant lotteries with monetary prizes.
The decree establishes mandatory payout percentages for different gaming categories. Gaming machines and casino games require payout rates between 70 and 99.9 percent of total turnover annually. Betting games vary by format, with single or multiple daily draws requiring 50 to 70 percent payouts, electronic betting games requiring 55 to 80 percent, and other betting games requiring 40 to 55 percent. Money lotteries require 40 to 60 percent payouts, while instant lotteries with monetary prizes require 45 to 70 percent, and electronic instant lotteries require 50 to 90 percent.
The decree also establishes operational limits for gaming venues. A maximum of 10,000 gaming machines may be placed at gaming venues, with gaming halls limited to 2,000 machines and 100 casino games combined. Individual casinos may operate a maximum of 400 gaming machines and 60 casino games. The decree permits a maximum of 60 gaming halls nationwide and restricts casino operations to a single location within Helsinki. Casino operating hours are set from 12:00 to 04:00 daily.
The decree introduces daily, monthly, and annual loss limits for gaming machines at venues and halls: EUR 500 daily, EUR 2,000 monthly, and EUR 24,000 annually per player. Provisions address unclaimed winnings, prize rounding, and multinational betting games with shared prize pools.
The decree enters into force on July 1, 2027.