Veikkaus will deploy the latest version of OpenBet’s Neccton AI-enhanced responsible gambling platform across its digital and retail channels, the companies said on 16 June 2026. The rollout comes as Finland’s newly approved Gambling Act increases operator obligations to spot and address risky gambling behaviour early, including active intervention where risk indicators emerge.

OpenBet said the Neccton platform is designed to identify potentially risky gambling behaviour in real time, generate automated alerts, and support tailored player interventions. The system summarises behavioural data, risk markers and historical context in plain language, and provides AI-assisted explanations intended to support compliance teams while maintaining human oversight.

Susanna Saikkonen, Vice President for Sustainability at Veikkaus, said: “Veikkaus’ individual gambling safety net model is based on identifying risky gambling as early as possible and offering players both support and concrete limitations. The Neccton platform provides us with an ISO-certified, extensively security tested and scientifically validated tool that strengthens our ability to identify risk and support our customers in gambling responsibly.”

Dr Michael Auer, Managing Director of Neccton at OpenBet, said: “In today’s regulatory environment, operators must demonstrate how they actively prevent gambling-related harm. The latest version of the Neccton platform enables real-time, data-driven intervention and measurable duty of care. We are proud to expand our partnership with Veikkaus to further strengthen its responsible gambling framework.”

The Neccton deployment extends Veikkaus’ existing relationship with OpenBet. OpenBet has been powering Veikkaus’ next-generation sportsbook platform and providing Managed Trading Services across digital and retail channels since May 2025, according to the companies. Veikkaus is preparing for Finland’s expected market liberalisation in 2027.

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Finland’s Ministry of the Interior has published a draft regulation for public consultation that would set detailed product-level requirements for gambling offered by holders of Finnish gambling licences. The regulation is proposed to enter into force on 1 July 2027, as Finland prepares for its new licensing regime.

The draft introduces maximum stakes across electronic casino game categories. Electronic slot machine games and electronic bingo would be capped at EUR 20 per round, with higher limits proposed for certain electronic table games. Online poker would be subject to a maximum initial bet of EUR 1,000 per game. Where a combination game spans multiple categories, the explanatory memorandum says the applicable maximum stake would be determined by reference to the game types included in that combination.

A lower set of stake limits would apply to players under 25. For this group, the maximum stake for electronic slot machine games and electronic bingo would be EUR 10 per round, with reduced caps also proposed across several table game categories.

The draft also regulates tournament entry fees and jackpot mechanics. Table game tournaments (excluding player-versus-player poker) would be capped at EUR 1,000, player-versus-player poker tournaments at EUR 5,000, and electronic slot machine tournaments at EUR 500. It expressly permits surprise-type jackpots and winning-combination jackpots, including fixed, odds-based and progressive jackpots.

For electronic slot machine games, the proposal adds game design and player protection requirements that would effectively prohibit autoplay. Players must choose their own stake and start each round themselves, and operators may not offer or technically enable simultaneous play of two or more electronic slot machine games. Each round must last at least 2.5 seconds and players must not be allowed to shorten the draw time before the result is displayed. The draft also restricts presentation features that could imply a win is likely in future rounds or misrepresent losses, requires disclosure that in electronic games of chance player choices do not affect the draw outcome, and mandates on-screen playing-time reminders every 15 minutes with a continue-or-logout choice (with an exception for electronic casino games where players play against each other).

The consultation is open to anyone wishing to comment, with submissions due by 5 August. The regulation remains in draft form and may change before adoption.

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Fifty iGaming operators have submitted applications to enter the new, regulated Finnish market when it goes live July 1, 2027. It currently takes an estimated six months to process applications.

It has been possible to apply for gambling licences since 1.3.2026. The National Police Board’s Gambling Administration has so far received 50 applications. After their application has been received, applicants are sent an invoice to pay the processing fee, which in 2026 is €29,000. Once the processing fee has been paid, the applications will start to be processed.

“The reliability and suitability of the applicants will be evaluated on the basis of documents, such as register extracts, certificates and various reports, submitted by the applicant. The complexity of processing and evaluating applications is affected by the fact that the majority of applicants are foreign,” said Juha Katainen, Senior Adviser at the National Police Board.

The National Police Board hopes that applicants will carefully read the instructions on how to complete the application and submit the attachments. Applicants are asked to submit only the attachments that are in accordance with the instructions. If necessary, the National Police Board will request additional information to the application and attachments.

Requests for additional information may be made, for example, regarding the financial situation of the companies linked to the applicant, as these may play a significant role in financing the launch of the applicant’s operations.

No deadline for submitting applications

There is no deadline for applying for a gambling licence. The application process is continuous, so to speak. However, applicants should take into account the target processing time of applications, which is currently around 6 months.

“We hope that applicants will avoid constantly contacting us about the processing status of their application, as answering enquiries takes time away from the processing applications,” Juha Katainen said.

Information about average processing time will be updated on the police of Finland website as soon as this is possible.

“The best way applicants can help the processing of their application is by following the instructions given and submitting their application carefully,” Juha Katainen added.

The gambling market will open up, and the first gambling licences will enter into force on 1 July 2027, which is when gambling operators that have already received a licence will also be able to start operations.

Gambling services will continue to be supervised and licences granted by the National Police Board until the end of June 2027 and from July 2027 by the Finnish Supervisory Agency.

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