Finland has finalised draft regulations for its 2026 gambling licence application
The Finnish government has reaffirmed its commitment to opening the country’s new licensed online gambling market. Officials have announced that two crucial draft regulations will be published imminently.
Consequently, operators can now expect to apply for Finnish online gambling licences in early 2026. The market itself is still slated for a full launch in January 2027. This update will reassure the industry, as there were previous concerns about a potential six-month delay due to unclear guidelines.
The upcoming draft regulations aim to align Finland’s system with international standards. Specifically, the rules will cover random number generation (RNG), information security, and independent auditing.
Firstly, one regulation will set clear rules for RNG-based systems. It will define required assurance levels and approve testing methodologies. Furthermore, it will establish thresholds for traceability and verification. The rules will also dictate how operators must implement, document, and monitor their RNGs.
Secondly, a separate regulation will detail strict security obligations. This will follow a two-pronged model for ongoing compliance.
Under the new framework, licence holders must undergo two key security checks. These audits must be conducted by accredited independent bodies.
Biennial Data Security Audit: Every two years, a full audit will assess game integrity. It will also check the protection of personal data, financial information, and log files.
Annual Vulnerability Scan: Additionally, an external vulnerability assessment will be required each year. This scan is designed to proactively identify and fix potential security weaknesses before they can be exploited.
Finally, accredited inspection bodies must comply with recognised ISO or IEC standards. Importantly, during the transition period, Finland may also accept accreditations from Danish or Swedish systems, though this is still subject to official approval.
Speedz Casino has added Nolimit City slots to its lobby
Ganadu Gaming’s Speedz online casino has significantly boosted its games library. The brand now includes a full suite of popular titles from Nolimit City.
The new portfolio includes several standout series. Beyond these, other notable titles are now live. These include many fan favourites.
Importantly, many of these Nolimit City slots are available in Demo Mode. This allows players to explore the game mechanics and bonus features without placing a real-money wager.
Sven de Waard, Head of Casino at Ganadu Gaming, expressed his enthusiasm: “Speedz is all about user experience. Therefore, Nolimit City titles are the perfect vehicle to showcase our performance excellence.”
“Our players truly relish their creative takes on slot design,” de Waard added. “Ultimately, this gaming provider is a must-have for any reputable online casino. We now have a full representation of their titles. So, we eagerly await their new releases to add to our lobby – this partnership gives our players plenty to look forward to.”
Earlier, games provider Nolimit City secured a deal with NetBet UK.
British gambling industry sees £16.8bn annual yield
New figures from the Gambling Commission show the regulated British gambling industry generated a Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) of £16.8bn in the year to March 31, 2025. This marks a 7.3% year-on-year increase.
The rise was primarily driven by online gambling. Consequently, remote gambling GGY surged by 13.1% to £7.8bn. This sector now holds a 46% market share. Specifically, online slots generated £4.2bn of the £5bn online casino total.
Meanwhile, the land-based sector’s market share was 29%, with a GGY of £4.8bn. Licensed lotteries, including the National Lottery, accounted for 25% of the market, generating £4.2bn. Furthermore, excluding lotteries, the GGY was £12.6bn, a 9.3% increase.
As of March 2025, there were 2,179 gambling operators in Britain, a 3.7% decrease. Additionally, Great Britain had 8,234 licensed gambling premises, with betting shops falling to 5,825.
The Commission has also begun publishing quarterly data. For April to June 2025, the total GGY was £3.3bn. Remote gaming revenue during this period was £2bn.
These new statistics have prompted calls for a gambling tax increase in the upcoming Autumn Budget from various MPs and advocacy groups.
