Finland proposes slot stake limits, RTP floors in draft iGaming rules

Finland's Ministry of the Interior released four draft regulations under the new Gambling Act (10/2026) this week, setting mandatory return-to-player rates, online slot stake limits, and an autoplay ban for the country's liberalized iGaming market, according to next.io.

Why it matters

The draft regulations give operators and players the first detailed look at Finland's post-monopoly online gambling framework. Proposed measures, including per-spin stake caps, RTP floors, and an autoplay prohibition, could reshape game design and operator compliance requirements, and may serve as a reference point for other European markets drafting similar rules. The consultation period runs until August 5, 2026. the final regulations and the liberalized market are scheduled to launch July 1, 2027.

Main development

The draft regulations set mandatory RTP ranges across game categories. Slots and table games must offer a return-to-player rate between 70% and 99.9%. Daily-draw betting requires an RTP of 50% to 70%, and online betting must fall between 55% and 80%.

Online slots face specific stake limits. Players under 25 cannot bet more than €10 per spin. players aged 25 and older have a maximum of €20 per spin. Each spin must be manually initiated and last at least 2.5 seconds. Autoplay is prohibited.

Play-time reminders are mandatory every 15 minutes, requiring the player to confirm they wish to continue. The regulations also set daily loss limits for physical slot machines: €500 daily, €2,000 monthly, and €24,000 annually. Annual loss limits are age-based: €8,000 for players aged 18 to 19, with no annual cap for those 25 and older.

Infrastructure caps limit retail operations to 10,000 slot machines nationwide, 2,000 in gaming halls, and 400 in Helsinki's casino. The country may have 60 gaming halls, with up to 100 table games per hall. One land-based casino in Helsinki may operate from midday to 4am.

Player impact

Players in Finland will face stricter session controls than in many European markets. The €20 per-spin cap for slots is higher than Germany's €1 per spin limit but lower than the Netherlands' €25 per spin cap for online slots. The mandatory RTP floor of 70% sets a minimum payout rate, though operators may set rates anywhere within the 70% to 99.9% range.

The autoplay ban and 2.5-second minimum spin duration are likely to slow play and reduce session length. The 15-minute play-time reminders with confirmation prompts add an interruption layer not present in all European jurisdictions.

What remains unclear

The draft regulations do not specify how RTP rates will be verified or enforced, according to next.io. It is also unclear whether the stake limits apply per game or per operator session. The full text of the draft regulations has not been published by the Ministry of the Interior, and details may change during the consultation period.

Hippos ATG CCO Antti Koivula, in a LinkedIn post reported by next.io, described the measures as "restrictive, but not quite Germany." Up to 50 operator licence applications have been filed, according to next.io, though the Ministry of the Interior has not confirmed that figure.

What happens next

The consultation period closes August 5, 2026. The Ministry of the Interior may amend the draft regulations based on feedback from the public and industry stakeholders. The final regulations and the liberalized market are scheduled to launch July 1, 2027.