Finland’s upcoming gambling reform is intended to create a safer and more regulated market. Yet some industry observers fear that several of the proposed restrictions, including a ban on autoplay, slower slot gameplay and limits on betting stakes could have an unintended consequence: pushing some players towards unlicensed offshore gambling sites.

The Finnish government plans to open parts of the gambling market to private operators in July 2027, ending Veikkaus’ long-standing monopoly in online casino games and sports betting. At the same time, lawmakers are proposing some of Europe’s strictest responsible gambling measures.

Among the most discussed proposals is a complete ban on autoplay in online slots. Players would have to manually start every spin, and games would be required to last at least 2.5 seconds per round. Fast-forwarding animations and instantly revealing results would also be prohibited.


Finnish players have become accustomed to speed

Over the past decade, Finnish players have embraced digital convenience in nearly every aspect of online gambling. Finland became one of the leading markets for so-called “pikakasinot” – instant casinos that allow players to register, deposit and withdraw funds within minutes through online banking solutions, Rahapelisanomat concludes.

That demand for speed has also extended to gameplay itself. Features such as turbo spins and autoplay have become standard across much of the international online casino industry, allowing players to customise the pace of their gaming experience.

By introducing mandatory slower gameplay and removing autoplay entirely, Finland would move in the opposite direction from what many players have become accustomed to.


There is evidence behind the autoplay ban

The proposed restrictions are not without scientific support. A 2024 study published in the journal Addiction found that autoplay features increase gambling activity and lead players to place more bets and wager more money overall.

Researchers estimated that offering autoplay increased total gambling activity by approximately 7–9 per cent compared with manual play. The study concluded that removing autoplay could be an effective harm-reduction measure by reducing the intensity and speed of gambling sessions.

The findings help explain why Finnish policymakers want to restrict features that may encourage prolonged or more intensive gambling behaviour.


The channelisation challenge

However, the research also highlights a policy dilemma. One of the main goals of Finland’s gambling reform is to improve channelisation – in other words, to encourage players to choose licensed operators instead of unregulated websites.

Gambling experts across Europe have repeatedly warned that excessive restrictions can have the opposite effect. If the regulated market becomes significantly less attractive than offshore alternatives, some players may simply continue gambling on sites operating outside Finland’s licensing system.

Unlicensed operators can still offer autoplay, turbo spins, larger bonuses and fewer restrictions. Many also continue to provide Finnish-language services and fast payment methods, including instant withdrawals that Finnish players have increasingly come to expect.

This creates a difficult balancing act for policymakers.


Lessons from other European markets

Finland is not the first country to introduce stricter rules for online slots. Similar autoplay bans have already been implemented in the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands.

However, these markets have also experienced ongoing debates around channelisation and the continued popularity of offshore operators. In some jurisdictions, regulators have had to reassess whether increasingly restrictive rules are making the licensed market less competitive.

Finland’s new licensing system aims to bring more gambling activity under supervision and taxation. If too many players continue using unlicensed sites, those goals may become harder to achieve.


Striking the right balance

The proposed reforms remain under public consultation until August, and further amendments are still possible before the final legislation is adopted.

Few would dispute the importance of measures designed to reduce gambling-related harm. The scientific evidence suggests that autoplay restrictions can reduce gambling intensity and potentially lower the risk of excessive play.

Yet the Finnish government faces a difficult question: how can it create one of Europe’s safest gambling markets without making the regulated experience so restrictive that players seek alternatives elsewhere?

The answer may ultimately determine whether Finland’s long-awaited gambling reform succeeds in channeling players towards licensed operators or unintentionally sends some of them back to the black market.