Finland’s planned gambling market overhaul has gained public backing for tougher action against illegal operators, with a new survey showing many citizens support payment blocking measures aimed at unlicensed gambling sites.
A poll of 1,000 Finnish residents, commissioned by affiliate platform Turtlebet and carried out by research company Bilendi in April 2026, found that 32% of respondents believe blocking payments to offshore gambling operators is the most effective way to tackle the black market. The survey explored attitudes toward Finland’s upcoming gambling reforms and the growing presence of unlicensed sites.
Finland is preparing to replace Veikkaus’ long-standing online monopoly with a licensing system that will allow private gambling companies to enter the market. Operators are expected to begin applying for licences in 2026 ahead of the regulated market launch scheduled for July 2027.
The survey showed that awareness of the reform remains uneven. Overall, 67% of respondents said they knew major gambling law changes were coming. Awareness was significantly higher among men at 80%, compared to 54% among women. Older respondents were also more informed than younger age groups.
When asked why players choose foreign gambling websites, only 30% agreed that bonuses and promotions are a key factor. Meanwhile, 41% disagreed and nearly a third said they were unsure. Men and higher-income respondents were more likely to view bonuses as a major reason consumers use offshore platforms.
Besides payment blocking, 26% of participants said improving the attractiveness of licensed domestic gambling services would help reduce black market activity. Support for internet protocol blocking was much lower, with only 11% backing the measure. Around 29% of respondents said they were uncertain which enforcement strategy would work best.
Opinion was also divided over the effectiveness of public blacklists targeting illegal gambling operators. While 24% believed blacklists could discourage consumers from using offshore sites, 43% said they would have little impact. Younger respondents were slightly more optimistic about blacklist measures than older participants.
Finland has already introduced payment blocking powers in recent years as authorities try to limit unlicensed gambling activity. In 2024, the country’s National Police Board blacklisted Betsson’s BML Group operations, forcing banks and payment providers to stop processing transactions connected to several of its brands.