Finland has approved a new gambling regulator to oversee all gaming activities in the country as it prepares to open its regulated gambling market on 1 July 2027. The new body will replace the National Police Board, which previously handled gambling supervision, harnessing wider powers to control the market and enforce compliance.

The regulator will operate under the Permit and Supervision Agency, known locally as Lupa- ja valvontavirasto. Authorities say it has been given a clear mandate to ensure a safe gambling market and to ruthlessly eliminate illegal operators. This move is part of Finland’s efforts to modernise its gambling laws and reduce unlicensed activity.

Stronger Powers Than the National Police Board

The new regulator will focus more on administrative enforcement unlike the National Police Board, which relied mainly on criminal investigations. It will have the authority to issue penalty fees to operators that break licence conditions, marketing rules or safety requirements.

The agency can also revoke licences, especially in cases of repeated violations. Licence withdrawal may happen if an operator fails to pay supervision fees or commits serious breaches of player safety rules. Based on its functions, stronger responsibility is placed directly on licensed operators.

Focus on Player Safety and Illegal Sites

A key priority for the new regulator will be player protection. This includes strict rules around player identification and Know-Your-Customer verification. Authorities believe these measures are key to preventing fraud, money laundering and gambling-related harm.

The regulator will also keep its power to order the removal of illegal online content. This includes taking down domain names and blocking access to non-compliant gambling websites. These actions are meant to limit Finnish players’ access to unlicensed platforms.

“The new agency isn’t just an administrator; it is a policeman with the power to fine, block and shut down. For operators, this means that compliance technology – specifically regarding player ID and money laundering – is no longer just an operational detail, but a license-critical necessity,” Bonusetu CEO Tommi Korhonen commented. 

Funding and Industry Impact

The new regulatory body will be funded directly by gambling operators. This includes annual supervision fees that are tiered based on each operator’s gross gaming revenue. Larger operators will therefore contribute more to the cost of regulation.

Bonusetu operates as a market intelligence platform for Nordic iGaming and supports the Finnish market by analysing regulatory frameworks, software integrity and payment technologies. With the new regulator in place, industry experts expect higher compliance standards and heavier regulation as Finland’s 2027 market launch approaches.