😎 Finland🇫🇮: New Regulatory Framework Raises Concerns Over Gambling Market Competitiveness

😎 Finland🇫🇮: New Regulatory Framework Raises Concerns Over Gambling Market Competitiveness

Finland’s upcoming gambling regulatory framework presents new challenges for operators in the regulated market. While the reform aims to strengthen responsible gambling measures and increase oversight of the sector, concerns have emerged that the planned restrictions could reduce the attractiveness of the legal market and indirectly benefit unlicensed operators.

🔣 New regulatory landscape

🔣 Reminder: Finland’s new regulatory framework will come into force in July 2027, ending the monopoly held by the state-owned company Veikkaus. However, the company will retain exclusive rights over certain product categories, including lotteries, scratch cards, and some land-based gambling products.

🔣 What are the sector’s main concerns?

➡️ The new legislation introduces restrictions on gambling advertising and promotional bonuses. The experience of Sweden🇸🇪 raises questions about the effectiveness of such measures: in 2024, the illegal market’s share in the country was estimated at between 20% and 25%.

➡️ In addition, legal experts warn that overly broad restrictions could conflict with the European Union’s principle of free movement of services, limiting the ability of licensed operators to compete within the European market.

➡️ Another planned measure is the blocking of payment channels used by unlicensed operators. Although some surveys indicate public support for this initiative, the industry continues to debate its actual impact on reducing the illegal market.

🔣 Tax burden on operators

Licensed operators will also face a higher financial burden. The new framework introduces a fixed 22% tax on gross gaming revenue (GGR).

In addition, companies will be required to pay an annual supervisory fee, with the amount varying according to revenue levels:

🔸 €4,000 for operators with annual gross revenue below €100,000;

🔸 up to €434,000 for companies generating €50 million or more in revenue.

The key challenge for Finland will be finding a balance between consumer protection, the sustainability of the regulated market, and the ability to compete with unlicensed gambling offerings.

#news #Europe #gambling #analysis

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