Finland has published draft gambling regulations that outline the structure of its planned licensed market under the Gambling Act (10/2026). The proposals introduce a wide set of player protection measures covering online casino gameplay, financial limits, and land-based gambling machine restrictions. The framework is scheduled to take effect on 1 July 2027 as Finland transitions from its current system toward a regulated licensing model.
Autoplay Ban And Fixed Spin Timing Requirements For Slot Games
The draft rules propose removing autoplay functionality from electronic slot-style games. This would require players to manually initiate each spin, preventing automated continuous gameplay sessions without direct user input.
Alongside this restriction, regulators have proposed a minimum spin duration of 2.5 seconds. This rule is intended to standardise the pace of gameplay and prevent players from accelerating results by skipping animations or reducing time between spins. The measure applies specifically to slot-style games where speed of play can influence session intensity.
Operators would also be required to introduce mandatory gameplay reminders every 15 minutes. These alerts would prompt players to actively confirm whether they wish to continue or exit their current session. The requirement applies to both online gambling platforms and physical slot machines. Player-versus-player casino formats are excluded from this rule, meaning they would not be subject to the same mandatory interruption system.
€20 Spin Limit, RTP Ranges And Multi-Level Financial Controls
The financial component of the draft introduces a €20 maximum stake per spin for online slot games. A reduced limit of €10 per spin would apply to players under the age of 25, introducing an age-based restriction on staking levels.
Return-to-player (RTP) requirements are also defined across product categories. Slot machines and casino table games would be required to operate within a 70% to 99.9% RTP range.
Online betting products would fall within a 55% to 80% range, while daily-draw betting games would operate between 50% and 70%.
Land-based gambling would be subject to additional loss-based restrictions. Physical slot machines would be limited to €500 in daily losses, €2,000 in monthly losses, and €24,000 in annual losses. These caps apply to player expenditure over defined time periods rather than per-session limits alone.
Gaming account controls are also included in the draft framework. Player accounts would be restricted to a maximum balance of €20,000, limiting the amount of funds that can be held within regulated gambling accounts at any given time.
Retail distribution of gambling machines would also be reduced under the proposal. Shops would be limited to a total of 10,000 slot machines nationwide, while dedicated gaming halls would be permitted up to 2,000 machines. Despite broader liberalisation of the market, Finland would continue to maintain a single land-based casino located in Helsinki.
Consultation Process And Early Market Response Ahead Of 2027 Launch
The Ministry of the Interior has released four separate draft regulations as part of Finland’s transition toward a licensed gambling system. The consultation period remains open until 5 August 2026, allowing operators, consumers, and other stakeholders to submit feedback before the regulations are finalised.
Reports suggest that approximately 50 licence applications have already been submitted in anticipation of the new regulatory framework, indicating early market preparation from operators expecting entry into the licensed system.
Antti Koivula, chief commercial officer at Hippos ATG, commented on the scope of the proposals, stating: “Restrictive, but not quite Germany. Perhaps not even the Netherlands, at least not yet.”
He added: “That said, more regulation and regulative guidance to come so keep your fingers crossed.”
Source:
Finland Sets Out New Gambling Controls for 2027, LCB.org, June 15th, 2026
