Finland’s new Gambling Act faces constitutional scrutiny
The nation’s Constitutional Committee has pointed out potential issues with the proposed legislation.
Key points:
– Finland’s Gambling Act has been reviewed by the Constitutional Commitee
– Changes to ambiguous language, specifically around advertising regulation, have been recommended
– The Administrative Committee must amend the proposed bill in order for it to proceed
Finland’s Constitutional Committe has underlined key issues to parliament pertaining to the government’s proposed new Gambling Act, which is set for implementation in early 2027.
The issues presented by the committee largely centre around potentially ambiguous linguistic definitions regarding advertising and regulation.
Primarily, the committee has concluded issues with advertising provisions laid out as part of the new bill. Specifically, the phrase ‘moderate advertising’ has been highlighted as a problem area for adequate legal and legislative clarity – with the Administrative Committee now required to further explain this concept. Moreover, Section 52(1)(15) has also been submitted as a problem area for overly broad language, with the committee requesting the section’s removal before the bill can proceed.
Elsewhere, issues pertaining to the legality of professional gambling have seen the committee emphasise that tax laws in this area must remain precise and compliant with constitutional requirements.
Nevertheless, the committees main concern for the bill remains centred around advertising regulatory definitions. Should these previously specified amendments be implemented by the Administrative Committee, however, the bill will be able to move freely onto the next phase of its legislative process.
Good to know: Finland’s plans to de-monopolise its gambling market have been in the works for some time, with the EGBA welcoming the move back in October 2023
A little over a year later, in November 2024, it was announced that horseracing would be included as part of the new system in Finland.
More recently, however, following the submission of the new Gambling Bill in March, current monopoly operator Veikkaus found itself accused by ATG of anti-competitive practices in the nation, with the Swedish operator alleging that the company is attempting to manipulate a favourable position ahead of the bill’s implementation in 2027.
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