The Californer - The 22% Tax Reality: Finland's New Gambling Law Creates a "Fiscal Trap" for Grey Market Casino Players

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Helsinki-based analyst Bonusetu.com breaks down the financial framework of the 2027 Gambling Act, revealing a competitive 22% tax rate for operators and a punitive tax liability for consumers who play on unlicensed casino websites.

HELSINKI - Californer -- As the Finnish Parliament moves to adopt the new Gambling Act (HaVM 28/2025 vp), the focus has shifted to the financial instruments designed to force the market into regulation. Bonusetu.com, a premier market intelligence platform, has released an analysis of the new fiscal landscape, warning that Finnish players who continue to use unlicensed sites after July 1, 2027, face severe financial risks.

While the new law establishes a uniform 22% tax on Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) for licensed operators—a rate confirmed after the Administration Committee rejected proposals to raise it to 25.5%—the most significant financial impact falls on the consumer.

The "Tax Trap" for Unlicensed Play

Bonusetu's analysis highlights a critical change in the Income Tax Act (Tuloverolaki) designed to destroy the appeal of the black market.

The Rule: Winnings from licensed operators (both Finnish and EEA-licensed sites within the system) will remain tax-free for the player. However, winnings from unlicensed/non-EEA sites will be classified as taxable earned income (veronalaista ansiotuloa).
The "Loss Deduction" Nightmare: Crucially, the Committee Report clarifies that players on unlicensed sites cannot deduct their overall losses from their taxable winnings.

Example: If a player loses €2,000 on an unlicensed site but then wins €1,000 in a single bet, they are liable to pay income tax on that €1,000 win, despite being down €1,000 overall.
Exception: Only the specific stake of the winning bet is deductible.

Market Viability Secured with 22% Rate

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For operators, the confirmed 22% tax rate is a "green light" for investment.

Competitive Positioning: The Committee explicitly rejected a higher VAT-aligned tax (25.5%), citing evidence that a rate above 22% would fail to channel the market effectively. This aligns Finland with Sweden (22%) and keeps it competitive against high-tax jurisdictions.
Level Playing Field: In a historic shift, the state monopoly Veikkaus Oy will lose its corporate tax exemption. Under the new law, both Veikkaus and private license holders will pay the same corporate income tax, ensuring true competitive neutrality.

Supervision Fees Confirmed

In addition to the 22% tax, operators will fund the new supervisory authority through annual fees based on their Gross Gaming Revenue. These fees range from €4,000 for small operators to €434,000 for market leaders with GGR over €50 million.

Embedded Quote "The government is using the tax code as a weapon against the grey market, and it's going to work. The realization that you cannot deduct losses—meaning you could lose money overall and still owe taxes on a single win—makes playing on unlicensed sites financially irrational. This is the strongest 'channeling' tool in the entire legislation." — Tommi Korhonen, Founder of Bonusetu.com

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About Bonusetu.com Established in 2016 in Helsinki, Bonusetu.com is a leading comparison platform specializing in online casinos and iGaming market analysis. With a team boasting over 100 years of combined experience, Bonusetu provides Finnish consumers with transparent, data-driven reviews of casino operators, game software, and market regulations.

For more information, please visit https://www.bonusetu.com.