Can I play at foreign online casinos from Finland?
Yes — playing has never been a crime for the player, and the whole system is changing. Finland's new Gambling Act was confirmed in January 2026: operators could apply for licences from 1 March 2026, and the licensed market (betting and online casino games) opens on 1 July 2027, ending Veikkaus' exclusivity in those games. Until then, playing on foreign sites is allowed but unregulated — and winnings from casinos licensed outside the EEA are taxable.
📋 The rules
- Playing at a foreign online casino is not punishable for the player — Finnish sanctions target operators and marketing.
- Parliament passed the new Gambling Act on 16 Dec 2025; it was confirmed 16 Jan 2026, and licence applications to the National Police Board opened 1 Mar 2026.
- The licensed market opens 1 Jul 2027: betting, online casino, slots and bingo move to licensees; Veikkaus keeps lotteries, scratch cards, physical slot machines and casinos.
- Winnings paid by EEA-licensed operators are tax-free; winnings from outside the EEA (e.g. Curaçao) are taxable income.
- From July 2027 the supervisor can block unlicensed operators: payment blocking, content removal and seizure of .fi domains.
🔓 Exceptions
- Bonuses: the new act allows bonuses only for existing customers — welcome bonuses disappear from the licensed market.
- Affiliate marketing is banned; advertising unlicensed casinos to Finland is already prohibited.
⚠️ Penalties
No penalty for players. Undeclared non-EEA winnings can bring back taxes with surcharges. Operators face sanction fees and blocking for unlicensed activity from 7/2027.
📎 Sources
- Finnish Government · Gambling system reform — licensing model →
- Arpajaislaki.fi · Finnish gambling legislation hub →
- Summary · 2026 reform: timeline, 22% GGR tax, bonus limits →
❓ Frequently asked questions
Is playing at offshore casinos illegal in Finland?
Not for the player. Regulation targets companies and marketing — players aren't punished under the current or the new law.
When does the Veikkaus monopoly end?
Exclusivity in betting and online casino games ends 30 June 2027; the competitive licensed market opens 1 July 2027.
Are online casino winnings tax-free?
From EEA-licensed operators, yes. From outside the EEA they're taxable income — declare them yourself.
Will welcome bonuses still exist?
In the licensed market bonuses may only be offered to existing customers, and affiliate marketing is banned.
🔎 What people search
Searches that lead to this question.
- “foreign online casinos Finland legal”
- “Veikkaus monopoly ends 2027”
- “Finland gambling licence 2026”
- “casino winnings tax Finland EEA”