Finland gambling reform survey shows support for payment blocking

Finland’s planned overhaul of its gambling system has entered a critical phase as new survey data indicates that many citizens support financial restrictions against illegal gambling operators more strongly than technical internet blocking measures.

The findings arrive while Finnish lawmakers continue preparing one of the country’s most significant gambling policy changes in decades. The reforms are expected to gradually dismantle the monopoly structure dominated by Veikkaus and replace it with a licensed market model designed to regulate private operators under Finnish supervision.

The survey was commissioned by Turtlebet and conducted by research company Bilendi in April. It questioned 1,000 Finnish residents aged between 18 and 65 about their views on illegal gambling, offshore operators and the government’s upcoming licensing reforms.

According to the results, payment blocking emerged as the most widely supported enforcement mechanism among respondents, suggesting that Finnish consumers may favour targeted financial controls over broader internet censorship tools.

Payment blocking gains the strongest public backing

One of the survey’s clearest findings was the level of support for restricting payments to unlicensed gambling operators. Around 32% of respondents identified payment blocking as the most effective method for reducing illegal gambling activity in Finland.

The result placed financial restrictions ahead of several alternative approaches currently discussed in regulatory circles. Approximately 26% of respondents believed that improving the competitiveness and attractiveness of licensed domestic gambling products would be the best way to reduce the appeal of offshore platforms.

The figures indicate that many Finns may support a more practical enforcement strategy focused on disrupting financial transactions rather than attempting to fully block access to gambling websites.

The issue has become increasingly important as international gambling companies continue attracting Finnish consumers through online platforms that operate outside the country’s monopoly framework. Despite Veikkaus maintaining exclusive control over many forms of gambling under the current system, offshore operators have continued gaining visibility among players.

Industry analysts across Europe have repeatedly noted that digital gambling platforms can often bypass traditional national restrictions, making enforcement more complicated for regulators attempting to preserve local monopolies.

Limited support for IP blocking measures

Compared with payment restrictions, internet blocking measures received significantly lower support from respondents.

Only 11% of survey participants considered IP blocking the best solution for reducing illegal gambling activity. A considerable portion of respondents also expressed uncertainty regarding whether any enforcement strategy would be fully effective.

The findings reflect broader European experiences where technical blocking measures have often produced mixed results. Critics of IP blocking frequently argue that determined users can bypass restrictions using alternative internet services or virtual private networks.

Finland’s debate mirrors discussions already seen in several European jurisdictions where regulators have struggled to prevent consumers from accessing offshore gambling websites despite legal prohibitions.

The survey suggests that many Finnish respondents may view payment disruption as a more realistic tool because it directly targets financial transfers between consumers and unlicensed operators.

Finland prepares for a major gambling market transition

The Finnish government is currently moving forward with legislation that would fundamentally reshape the country’s gambling structure.

Under the proposed reforms, private gambling operators would be allowed to apply for Finnish licences beginning in 2026. The wider regulated market is expected to officially launch in July 2027.

If implemented as planned, the system would effectively end Veikkaus’ long-standing monopoly over online gambling services in Finland.

The government has argued that the reform is intended to improve consumer protection while bringing gambling activity under stronger national supervision. Officials have acknowledged that large numbers of Finnish players already use offshore websites, making it difficult for the current monopoly system to fully channel gambling activity into regulated domestic platforms.

Supporters of the licensing framework believe that allowing private operators to legally enter the market under Finnish rules could increase oversight, improve responsible gambling measures and generate additional tax revenue.

At the same time, policymakers continue facing questions regarding enforcement, advertising restrictions and methods for controlling illegal operators that choose to remain outside the future licensing system.

Public awareness of the reforms remains uneven

Although the proposed changes have generated extensive political discussion, public understanding of the reforms appears to vary across demographic groups.

According to the survey, roughly two-thirds of respondents said they were aware that Finland’s gambling laws are likely to change in the coming years.

Awareness levels differed significantly between men and women. Around 80% of male respondents reported familiarity with the reforms compared with approximately 54% of female respondents.

Older participants also appeared more informed about the upcoming policy changes than younger adults.

The results suggest that Finnish authorities and industry stakeholders may still face challenges communicating the details and implications of the licensing transition to the broader public.

As the implementation timeline progresses, public education campaigns may become increasingly important to explain how the future market will operate and what consumer protections will apply under the new system.

Debate continues over offshore gambling incentives

The survey also explored public attitudes toward the reasons Finnish consumers choose foreign gambling websites instead of domestic options.

Only 30% of respondents agreed that attractive bonuses and promotional offers from offshore operators play a major role in influencing consumer behaviour. A larger share rejected the argument while many respondents remained uncertain.

The issue remains central to wider European gambling policy discussions because offshore operators frequently use aggressive marketing incentives to attract customers in markets where restrictions are tighter.

The Finnish survey revealed noticeable demographic differences on the topic. Men and higher-income respondents were more likely to believe that bonuses strongly influence player behaviour. Women were generally less convinced by the argument.

Younger adults demonstrated particularly high levels of uncertainty across several sections of the survey, suggesting that attitudes toward gambling regulation may still be evolving among younger demographics.

The findings underline the complexity facing regulators attempting to understand why consumers migrate toward international gambling platforms.

Public blacklist proposals receive mixed reactions

Another proposal tested in the survey involved the idea of publicly blacklisting illegal gambling websites.

The response was relatively cautious. More respondents believed that a blacklist would fail to discourage players from using offshore sites than believed it would successfully deter gambling activity.

Younger respondents appeared somewhat more optimistic about the effectiveness of blacklists compared with older age groups, although support remained limited overall.

Regulators in several countries have experimented with blacklists as part of broader enforcement frameworks. However, questions often remain regarding their practical effectiveness and whether consumers actively consult such lists before using gambling services.

The Finnish data suggests that public confidence in blacklist systems may currently be relatively modest.

Finland reflects wider European regulatory pressures

Finland’s gambling debate increasingly reflects broader developments occurring across Europe.

Traditional monopoly-based gambling systems have faced growing pressure from international online operators capable of reaching consumers across borders through digital platforms.

As a result, many governments have shifted toward licensing frameworks intended to balance consumer choice with regulatory oversight.

Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen has previously described the proposed reforms as an attempt to align regulation with modern market realities while maintaining safeguards for consumers.

The government’s position has increasingly focused on the argument that Finnish players are already participating in offshore gambling markets in substantial numbers. Rather than attempting to eliminate that activity entirely, authorities aim to channel it into a supervised licensing system with domestic regulatory controls.

Within that context, payment blocking has emerged as one of the more widely discussed enforcement tools available to regulators seeking to limit illegal market activity without imposing broad internet restrictions.

The latest survey indicates that a sizeable portion of the Finnish public may support that direction as policymakers continue refining the country’s future gambling framework.

Conclusion

Finland’s upcoming gambling reform represents a major shift in national policy and the latest survey results provide insight into how the public views the challenges surrounding illegal gambling enforcement.

The findings suggest that many Finns favour targeted financial restrictions against unlicensed operators over technical censorship measures such as IP blocking. At the same time, the survey highlights continuing uncertainty regarding the motivations behind offshore gambling behaviour and the likely effectiveness of various enforcement tools.

As Finland moves toward a licensed gambling market scheduled to open in 2027, lawmakers will continue balancing consumer protection, market competitiveness and regulatory oversight. The transition will likely remain closely watched across Europe where governments face similar pressures from expanding digital gambling markets and cross-border operators.

The debate also illustrates a broader regulatory reality: in an increasingly online gambling environment, governments may find it more effective to manage and supervise consumer activity within regulated systems rather than attempting to completely isolate national markets from international competition.

FAQs

What did the Finnish gambling survey examine?
The survey explored public attitudes toward illegal gambling, payment blocking, IP blocking and Finland’s planned gambling market reforms.

Who conducted the survey in Finland?
The survey was commissioned by Turtlebet and carried out by research company Bilendi.

How many people participated in the survey?
A total of 1,000 Finnish residents between the ages of 18 and 65 took part in the research.

What enforcement measure received the strongest support?
Payment blocking against unlicensed gambling operators received the highest level of support among respondents.

What is payment blocking in gambling regulation?
Payment blocking restricts financial transactions between consumers and illegal gambling operators.

Did Finnish respondents support IP blocking?
Support for IP blocking was relatively low compared with payment restrictions.

When will Finland open its regulated gambling market?
The regulated market is currently expected to launch in July 2027.

What will happen to Veikkaus under the reforms?
The reforms are expected to end Veikkaus’ exclusive control over online gambling in Finland.

Why are Finnish authorities reforming gambling laws?
The government aims to improve consumer protection and regulate gambling activity that already occurs on offshore platforms.

What broader trend does Finland’s reform reflect?
Finland’s reforms reflect a wider European trend toward licensed gambling markets and away from monopoly systems.