Finland to Incorporate Horseracing in Newly Competitive Gambling Market

The Finnish government has announced that horseracing will join other betting sectors within a competitive, licensed market when Finland’s demonopolised gambling framework launches in 2026.

With new policy details now available, the government outlined that state funding will support horseracing activities, particularly through breeding programs and operator consultancy. Additionally, Hippos ry, Finland’s main organization for horse breeding, will receive financial backing to facilitate industry advancements and implement anti-doping measures.

This shift in approach aligns with the government's goal to mitigate gambling-related harms in Finland by strengthening “channelisation,” or steering gambling activity toward regulated operators within the Finnish market.

Under the new system, sports betting and online casino licenses will be available to various operators, while Veikkaus, Finland’s current monopoly operator, will retain exclusive rights to the lottery, betting games, and land-based casinos.

A draft of the revised legislation is scheduled for submission to the EU Commission before being introduced to parliament in spring 2025. Finland targets a fully regulated gambling market by January 1, 2026.

The country’s initial licensing draft, introduced in July 2023, provided foundational details, while this latest policy update offers further insights into Finland’s evolving regulatory framework.

In response to Finland’s direction, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has expressed support, noting that Finland’s licensing plan marks a significant step toward an inclusive market.

By fLEXI tEAM