The Finnish parliament rejected all opposition party amendments with an overwhelming majority this week. Major amendments to Finland’s new online gambling legislation got voted down, while minor changes remain possible. Opposition parties submitted several proposed changes to parliament last week for consideration. The Administrative Committee has already read and amended the bill during its parliamentary journey. Final legislation faces a formal vote next week in parliament.

Minimum gambling age increase to 20 from the current 18 limit formed part of opposition amendments. Licensed websites would require mandatory two-factor authentication for each login under opposition proposals. Central deposits and loss limits across all operators, plus a gambling bonus ban, were suggested. The gambling tax rate would rise to 25.5% of GGR, targeting operators directly.

Marketing Faces a Bill Amendment Focus

A TV and radio advertising ban for licensed products except the Veikkaus monopoly was proposed in amendments. Complete gambling advertisement prohibition across all sports and public events was added to the suggestions. Tobacco-style warning labels in gambling marketing became part of opposition demands. A direct marketing ban to anyone under 24 years old has entered the proposal list. The Ministry of Interior would publish a “moderate” marketing level definition for clarity purposes.

Single entity voting occurred for each amendment at the earlier week’s hearing session. Wednesday saw 153-21 votes rejecting all amendments, with 25 MPs absent from the session. Finland moves closer to an expanded legal iGaming market without proposed changes.

Bill Amendment Rejection Brings ‘No Surprise’

ATG’s Finnish joint venture, Hippos, ATG chief compliance officer Antti Koivula called the vote “decisive” on LinkedIn. The previous post predicted amendments would face rejection in parliament. Some opposition support existed with the Greens and Left Alliance backing proposals completely. Other parties withheld their support pledges for the amendments package. “This outcome surprised absolutely no one,” stated Koivula in his response. “If anything was surprising, it was how overwhelmingly the proposal was defeated, even within the opposition itself.” A multi-licensing system for online gambling will open if legislation eventually passes parliament.

2027 marks the regulated sector opening, with licensing and operator approval occupying the next year. National elections in 2027 might alter the Finnish iGaming market direction per Koivula’s statement. The January 2027 initial launch date faces potential delay, according to recent media suggestions. The April government elections create uncertainty about timing. “We shall see what happens in the next governmental term, beginning after the April 2027 elections, if the current opposition parties are back in government,” Koivula commented. “Maybe it should be added that it’s unlikely that anything this drastic will be approved in the next governmental term, either.”