Mika Kuismanen: draft gambling law 'shocked' Rahapeliala and Veikkaus
Kuismanen told Helsingin Sanomat the July 2024 draft and marketing limits provoked industry alarm.
Key Takeaways
- Mika Kuismanen said the July 2024 draft of Finland's gambling law shocked Rahapeliala ry and Veikkaus.
- Veikkaus and Pafin joining Rahapeliala ry was described by Kuismanen as "a big thing."
- The law reform was in Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's government programme after the spring 2023 elections; a working-group report finished in spring 2023.
- Rahapelisanomat ran an editorial on 2 September 2025 warning that increased gambling marketing could raise harms.
- Kuismanen previously worked as chief economist at Suomen Yrittäjät and as an economist at the Bank of Finland and the European Central Bank.
Mika Kuismanen told Helsingin Sanomat on 2 November 2026 that the first draft of Finland's gambling law in July 2024 "shocked" both Rahapeliala ry and Veikkaus, and that restrictions on marketing and sponsorship were particularly severe. He said Veikkaus and Åland-based Pafin joining Rahapeliala ry as members had been "a big thing" and that the draft risked deterring international operators.
What Kuismanen described to Helsingin Sanomat
Kuismanen recalled that the law reform was included in Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's government programme after the spring 2023 elections, with a working-group report completed in spring 2023 and the first legislative draft published in July 2024. He said the state was "building a system weaker than a crumbling monopoly":
"Valtio oli rakentamassa vielä murenevaa monopoliakin heikompaa järjestelmää," Kuismanen told Helsingin Sanomat.
He said Rahapeliala ry worked closely with Veikkaus and Pafin and that they jointly briefed decision-makers, targeting Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and his office. Kuismanen described the government's subsequent tightening of control as a rational step to conclude the process and said it ultimately produced "a good compromise."
Position on marketing and harm prevention
Rahapelisanomat published an editorial on 2 September 2025 titled "Luopukaamme massamarkkinoinnista" that warned increased gambling marketing could raise harms. Kuismanen argued the new licensing system will place previously unregulated operators under official supervision and internal control obligations, enabling more effective prevention of gambling harms.
Background and career
Kuismanen said he had no prior role in the gambling sector when he started. He described the challenge as attractive despite limited personal experience of gambling. His earlier roles include chief economist at Suomen Yrittäjät, positions at the Ministry of Finance, and economist roles at the Bank of Finland and the European Central Bank. The Helsingin Sanomat piece was published by Marko Lempinen on 2 November 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mika Kuismanen say shocked Rahapeliala and Veikkaus?
He said the first legislative draft published in July 2024 shocked Rahapeliala ry and Veikkaus because marketing and sponsorship restrictions were so strict they could deter international operators. Kuismanen described the state as "building a system weaker than a crumbling monopoly."
When was the gambling law reform first placed in the government programme?
The reform was included in Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's government programme following the spring 2023 elections. A working-group report was completed in spring 2023 and the first draft appeared in July 2024.
How did Rahapeliala ry, Veikkaus and Pafin act during the reform process?
They worked closely together and jointly informed decision-makers, targeting Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and his office, according to Kuismanen. He said Veikkaus and Åland-based Pafin joining Rahapeliala ry was "a big thing."
What concern did Rahapelisanomat raise about marketing?
Rahapelisanomat warned on 2 September 2025 in an editorial titled "Luopukaamme massamarkkinoinnista" that increased gambling marketing would lead to more gambling and therefore more harms. The editorial argued gambling should remain backgrounded rather than omnipresent.
What is Mika Kuismanen's professional background?
Kuismanen was previously chief economist at Suomen Yrittäjät and worked at the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Finland and the European Central Bank. He told Helsingin Sanomat he had no prior role in the gambling sector when he began.
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About the author
Eleanor Whitfield
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Eleanor Whitfield tracks gambling legislation, licensing decisions, and regulator enforcement across key markets — from the UKGC, MGA, and Germany's GGL to Spain's DGOJ and the state-by-state map in the Americas. The reporting answers three questions precisely: what changed, where, and who it affects, with jurisdictions, effective dates, and penalty figures named exactly as published. Compliance officers and operators read Eleanor Whitfield to know which rulebook moved before their next board meeting.
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