Mika Kuismanen says July 2024 rahapelilaki draft 'shocked' him in Nov 2026
Kuismanen says proposed marketing and sponsorship limits would have deterred international licences.
Key Takeaways
- Mika Kuismanen told Helsingin Sanomat on 2 November 2026 that the initial rahapelilaki draft "shokeerasi" him.
- The rahapelilaki reform entered Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's government programme after the 2023 election; report in spring 2023 and first draft in July 2024.
- Kuismanen said Veikkaus and Paf joined RAHAPELIALA ry and worked closely with the association to brief policymakers jointly.
- RAHAPELISANOMAT published an editorial on 2 September 2025 warning that increased visibility of gambling raises consumption.
Mika Kuismanen told Helsingin Sanomat on 2 November 2026 that the initial draft of the rahapelilaki reform "shokeerasi" him and that the proposed limits on marketing and sponsorship were so severe that a licensing system would not have attracted international operators. The rahapelilaki reform was included in Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's government programme after the 2023 election; the working group's report appeared in spring 2023 and the first draft bill was published in July 2024.
Reaction and industry collaboration
Kuismanen, director general of RAHAPELIALA ry, said the accession of Veikkaus and Paf to RAHAPELIALA ry was an "iso juttu." He recounted that the association worked closely with Veikkaus and with Paf, the Åland-based company, and that they briefed decision-makers jointly, including Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and his office. In his words:
"Valtio oli rakentamassa vielä murenevaa monopoliakin heikompaa järjestelmää," Kuismanen said in the Helsingin Sanomat interview.
Kuismanen added:
"Teimme Veikkauksen ja myös ahvenanmaalaisen Pafin kanssa tiivistä yhteistyötä. Informoimme päättäjiä nimenomaan yhdessä."
Public debate and harm control
RAHAPELISANOMAT published the editorial "Luopukaamme massamarkkinoinnista" on 2 September 2025, warning that greater visibility of gambling increases gambling. Kuismanen argued that the new licensing system would allow authorities to tackle gambling harms more effectively because companies that operated outside Finnish supervision would become subject to regulatory oversight and self-regulation obligations. For background on the legislative process see [regulation](/regulation) and for industry context see [b2b](/b2b).
The primary source cited is Helsingin Sanomat: article by Marko Lempinen published 2.11.2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mika Kuismanen say about the draft gambling law?
Mika Kuismanen said the first draft of the rahapelilaki "shokeerasi" him on 2 November 2026 and that the draft's marketing and sponsorship restrictions were so severe a licensing regime would not have attracted international operators; he cited the July 2024 draft as the document in question.
What legislative milestones does Kuismanen recall about the reform?
Kuismanen notes the rahapelilaki reform was included in Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's government programme after the 2023 election; the working group's report was published in spring 2023 and the first bill draft appeared in July 2024.
How did Veikkaus and Paf act, according to Kuismanen?
Kuismanen said Veikkaus and Paf joined RAHAPELIALA ry and maintained "tiivistä yhteistyötä" (close cooperation) with the association, jointly informing policymakers, including Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and his office.
What was RAHAPELISANOMAT's position on gambling marketing?
RAHAPELISANOMAT published an editorial on 2 September 2025 titled "Luopukaamme massamarkkinoinnista," arguing that greater visibility of gambling increases consumption and that gambling should be kept in the background.
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About the author
Miguel Sandoval
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Miguel Sandoval tracks gambling legislation, licensing, and regulator enforcement — from Spain's DGOJ and the Latin American authorities to the UKGC, the MGA, and the state-by-state map in North America. The reports answer three questions precisely — what changed, where, and who it affects — with jurisdictions, dates, and penalties cited exactly as published. Operators and compliance officers read Miguel Sandoval to know which rulebook moved before their next meeting.
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