{"id":118682,"date":"2025-11-10T08:37:01","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T08:37:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/?post_type=comparative_guide&#038;p=118682"},"modified":"2025-11-10T08:37:01","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T08:37:01","slug":"finland-sports-law","status":"publish","type":"comparative_guide","link":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/chapter\/finland-sports-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Finland: Sports Law"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-118682","comparative_guide","type-comparative_guide","status-publish","hentry","guides-sports-law","jurisdictions-finland"],"acf":[],"appp":{"post_list":{"below_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">Teperi &#038; Co Attorneys<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2025\/11\/teperi.png\"\/><\/span><\/div>"},"post_detail":{"above_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">Teperi &#038; Co Attorneys<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2025\/11\/teperi.png\"\/><\/span><\/div>","below_title":"<span class=\"guide-intro\">This country specific Q&amp;A provides an overview of Sports Law laws and regulations applicable in Finland<\/span><div class=\"guide-content\"><div class=\"filter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" placeholder=\"Search questions and answers...\" class=\"filter-container__search-field\">\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<ol class=\"custom-counter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Do you have a specific sport tribunal in your country to decide sports-related domestic issues for one or more disciplines? Are there any other sports-specific alternative dispute resolutions in your country, i.e. mediation, conciliation, or sports ombuds instance? Are there cases that can or cannot be submitted to a specific sports tribunal or cannot be subject to arbitration (e.g. labor disputes)?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The Sports Ethical Disciplinary Board (Urheilun eettinen kurinpitolautakunta) handles all safeguarding cases that are regarded as serious. Finnish Center for Integrity in Sports (FINCIS) is the investigation authority in the safeguarding matters. It also has the power to initiate cases in this Board and a professional prosecutor named by the FINCIS prosecutes the cases in the Board. A party that has been subject of the safeguarding issue cannot prosecute by him\/herself but can agree with the prosecutor and demand a sanction and produce further evidence to back the case.<\/p>\n<p>The Board is competent to handle and exercise disciplinary authority only in matters referred to in the disciplinary regulations concerning inappropriate behavior in sports and physical activity, as well as in serious ethical violations. It cannot give decisions on possible indemnities regarding safeguarding cases.<\/p>\n<p>The Finnish Sports Arbitration Board (Urheilun oikeusturvalautakunta) is an independent appellate body for all other sports-related decisions and disciplinary sanctions. Despite its designation as an arbitration panel, it basically only works as a disciplinary committee.<\/p>\n<p>The scope of cases the Board can handle is limited in its rules. The board is competent to process the following types of appeals: Appeals on association decisions regarding a) ending an individual\u2019s membership in the association, b) disciplinary procedures, c) limitation of membership rights, or d) whether a decision is in breach of the rules of the association.<\/p>\n<p>The rules of the association above refer to other general regulations on the operations of an association, including disciplinary, competition, and licence regulations, but not the sport-specific rules.<\/p>\n<p>The Board can also handle appeals on the decisions made by the league organizing the competition operations, regarding a) disciplinary actions or b) whether a decision is in breach of rules on competitive operations, excluding the sport-specific rules, but only if the league is committed to the competence of the board.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, the Board handles appeals on decisions regarding whether or not to select an athlete for elite competitions. This has two different criteria; a) if the selection criterion clearly defined by the sport federation, Finnish Paralympic Committee or the Finnish Olympic Committee has not been followed, or b) if the decision discriminates against an athlete based on gender, age, conviction, opinion, origin, or other reason related to the person without acceptable reason.<\/p>\n<p>It is important to understand that appeals are only processed when all possibilities to appeal required by the rules of the organisation in question and the Finnish anti-doping regulations have been already used.<\/p>\n<p>The Sports Arbitration Board also serves as the first instance of appeal for decisions made by the Sports Ethical Disciplinary Board as it does for decisions made by the FINCIS, based to the Finnish anti-doping code.<\/p>\n<p>Neither of the Boards can handle a matter that has been decided by or is pending in civil court or arbitration.<\/p>\n<p>Both the Sports Ethical Disciplinary Board and the Finnish Sports Arbitration Board have been created by Finland\u2019s sports\u2019 governing bodies, not by the state. Thus, the enforceability of decisions of the both Boards is based only on the parties\u2019 engagement. The sports federations and sports clubs are bound to the jurisdiction of the Arbitration Board through their by-laws and through chaining of rules through membership, from the federation to the individual sport clubs. But, as the decisions of the Arbitration Board or basically only recommendations, as an association may decide not to adhere to the decisions of the Board. This happens every now and then. Usually, the associations do comply with the Board\u2019s decisions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How is Sports law codified in your country? Is there a specific Statute or Code? Are there national sports authorities, independent agencies, or government ministries responsible for oversight?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There is no Sport law codification as such in the Finnish Legislation.<\/p>\n<p>The Act on the Promotion of Sports and Physical Activity only sets out provisions on the promotion of physical activity and top-level sports; the responsibilities of and co-operation between central and local government; the government administrative bodies; and the funding to be provided by the state in the field of sports and physical activity.<\/p>\n<p>The Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for the overall management, co-ordination and development of the national sports policy, and for the creation of favorable conditions for engaging in physical activity.<\/p>\n<p>Finnish Center for Integrity in Sports (FINCIS) is a non-profit organisation that receives its primary funding from the Ministry of Education and Culture\u2019s lottery funds. The members of FINCIS are the Finnish Olympic Committee, the Finnish Paralympic Committee, the Finnish Society of Sports Medicine, and the State of Finland, represented by the Ministry of Education and Culture. It\u2019s task is to reinforce an ethically sustainable sports culture. In this capacity it is responsible for doping control and prevention of manipulation of sporting competitions and ensuring spectator safety in Finland. As mentioned above FINCIS is also responsible for investigating serious ethical violations and presenting disciplinary requirements in centralised disciplinary procedures.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Advertising and marketing in sport: which are the limitations foreseen in your country, for instance in relation to alcohol, tobacco or betting advertising on or around sports infrastructure, on official clothing, etc.?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The marketing of tobacco products and strong alcoholic beverages is completely prohibited in Finland. A strong alcoholic beverage is defined as one with an alcohol content exceeding 22 percent by volume.<\/p>\n<p>Advertising of mild alcoholic beverages is generally permitted, but only under specific and strictly regulated conditions. For example, beer, cider, and long drink brands may appear in sports-related advertising, such as on players\u2019 official uniforms. However, all marketing directed at minors is strictly prohibited. Accordingly, alcohol advertising is not allowed on the apparel or equipment of underage athletes and at competition venues or events primarily intended for minors.<\/p>\n<p>At the time of writing, Finland\u2019s gambling system is based on the Lotteries Act (1047\/2001), which grants an exclusive right to Veikkaus Oy, a state-owned company. Veikkaus\u2019 brand visibility appears, for example, on sports uniforms, arenas, and TV broadcasts. There are several restrictions on gambling advertising. For example, gambling advertising may not promote gambling that causes financial, social, or health-related harm, nor may it be targeted at minors or otherwise vulnerable individuals. Gambling advertising is also strictly monitored.<\/p>\n<p>Currently, only Veikkaus has the legal right, under specific conditions, to market gambling. However, this situation is changing, as Finland\u2019s gambling system is being reformed by opening it to competition under a licensing model.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Match-fixing: How is match-fixing and other forms of match manipulation combated in your country? Has your country ratified the Macolin Convention? What is the role of the sports betting industry in your country and is it subject to any specific state regulations?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Finland has played a key role in the creation of the Macolin Convention and was one of the first countries to sign it in 2014. Also, under the Finnish Center for Integrity in Sports (FINCIS) \u2013 and in accordance with the Convention \u2013 a national anti-manipulation task force is already operating. In April 2025, The Ministry of Education and Culture followed the footsteps of the Western neighbour and the latest ratifier, Sweden, and started preparations for ratifying the Convention.<\/p>\n<p>The landscape of sports betting in Finland is shifting, heralding a new era of change. At the moment, the sports betting industry works under Veikkaus Oy, company owned by the State. Veikkaus\u2019s monopoly has traditionally been justified on the grounds of preventing gambling-related harm, protecting vulnerable players, ensuring state control over gambling revenues, and channeling those revenues back to society, for example to support sports, culture, science, and social welfare.<\/p>\n<p>In public debate, Veikkaus\u2019s monopoly position has also faced comprehensive criticism. In March 2025, the Finnish Government submitted a bill signaling that Veikkaus\u2019s long-standing gambling monopoly is seeing its final days. According to the proposal, its exclusive rights in sports betting, as well as in online slot machines and casino games, would come to an end at the close of 2026. Thus, the sports betting market would open to competition, and according to the proposal, gambling companies could apply for licenses from the beginning of 2026, with licensed gambling operations starting from the beginning of 2027.<\/p>\n<p>The upcoming Gambling Act introduces a range of tools to identify, prevent, and respond to potential misconduct and criminal activity in gambling. Licensees will be expected to monitor betting closely, restrict certain betting markets, and pause wagers if there are signs of abuse. Players should also have access to clear reporting channels for any suspected wrongdoing. Furthermore, gambling operators will need to comply with anti-money laundering regulations. From early 2027, a newly established national Licensing and Supervisory Agency \u2013 set to begin operations at the start of 2026 \u2013 will take over responsibility for issuing licenses and overseeing the industry.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is there an institution safeguarding the integrity across sports in your country, e.g. ethics and doping violations or abuse cases? Which rules does such an institution apply?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>As already mentioned above the Finnish Center for Integrity in Sports (FINCIS) is an independent, non-profit organisation whose statutory mission is to promote ethically sustainable sport in Finland. FINCIS functions as the official national body for ethical oversight in sport, safeguarding the equal right of all individuals to participate in sport in accordance with the principles of fairness, integrity, and equality.<\/p>\n<p>The activities of FINCIS cover several areas, including anti-doping operations, the prevention of competition manipulation, the promotion of spectator safety and comfort, as well as broader ethical issues in sport.<\/p>\n<p>FINCIS conducts inquiries and investigations into suspected anti-doping rule violations as well as other breaches of ethical conduct in sport. In fulfilling its mandate, FINCIS cooperates closely with various authorities and other relevant stakeholders. In its operations, FINCIS applies the Finnish Anti-Doping Code, which is consistent with and approved by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How is corruption in sport regulated in your country? Is corruption between private individuals subject to criminal or civil liability and are there any sport specific corruption regulations?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In Finland, tackling corruption in sport is approached through a combination of criminal law and sport-specific oversight. Acts such as bribery or match-fixing are punishable under the Criminal Code, whether they occur between private individuals or within organisations. Moreover \u2013 naturally \u2013 anyone who causes harm bears civil responsibility for the damage,<\/p>\n<p>Complementing the legal framework, again FINCIS plays a key role in safeguarding sport integrity, enforcing anti-manipulation rules in line with the Macolin Convention. FINCIS coordinates the Fair Play program (\u00abReilun kilpailun ohjelma\u00bb) as part of the broader responsibility framework for the entire Finnish sports community and has developed a set of Fair Play program criteria designed to guide organisations in designing and implementing their own comprehensive initiatives to combat match manipulation. The framework provides practical tools and standards to ensure that sports at all levels uphold integrity and fair competition. FINCIS is able to investigate suspicious cases and impose sanctions, as it provides authorities with the helping hand they need to combat crime related to sports manipulation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How is fan behavior regulated by law (for example banning orders, criminal penalties for violence, specific laws addressing measures against violence at sporting events etc.)?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Although Finns are often known for their calm and reserved nature, recent years have revealed occasional flashes of hooliganism within fan culture, particularly in the realm of football.<\/p>\n<p>Fan behavior at sporting events is regulated through general criminal law, including specific measures targeting violence and disorder \u2013 The Finnish Criminal Code criminalizes, for example, acts such as assault, public disorder and resistance to a person maintaining public order, which can be applied to incidents occurring at sports events.<\/p>\n<p>From a criminal law perspective, it is likely nearly impossible \u2013 and at the very least unnecessary \u2013 to tailor legislation to specific types of events or particular groups of people. Criminal law must be capable of addressing the challenges associated with sports fan culture through general provisions.<\/p>\n<p>At major sporting events, the presence of security personnel is naturally complemented by the police, who have broader powers regulated under the Police Act to intervene in cases of public disorder.<\/p>\n<p>Sports federations might also have the authority to hold clubs accountable for their fans\u2019 behavior. For instance, in 2024, the Football Association of Finland (Suomen Palloliitto) fined HJK, a Veikkausliiga club, a total of \u20ac19.900 due to disruptive conduct by their supporters. On top of the financial penalty, HJK was required to play the first two matches of the following season with the end stands closed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What legal frameworks exist around the ownership and governance of professional sports clubs (e.g. foreign ownership restrictions, fan ownership models, licensing requirements)?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In Finland, the organisation of sports activities is primarily grounded in the principle of autonomy of non-profit registered associations. Accordingly, sports clubs and federations possess the independent authority to determine their governance structures and operational matters, provided these are conducted in accordance with their registered statutes.<\/p>\n<p>Finland does not maintain a specific act dedicated exclusively to sports clubs. Nevertheless, the provisions of the Finnish Associations Act (503\/1989) are applicable in certain circumstances, establishing the legal framework for the activities of an association, including matters such as decision-making processes, membership, and participation rights. In practice, it is also customary for limited liability companies to be established to manage sporting operations. This practice is particularly prevalent in disciplines such as ice hockey and football. In such cases, the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act (624\/2006) governs the organisation\u2019s activities, providing the statutory framework and delineating the rights and obligations of shareholders, directors, and other stakeholders.<\/p>\n<p>Finnish law imposes no specific restrictions on foreign ownership in sports clubs, nor does it prescribe any statutory model of fan ownership. Professional leagues, however, operate under a licensing regime. Clubs are required to obtain a license, which is issued subject to compliance with the financial, administrative, and sporting criteria established by the relevant sports federation or league organisation. The federations and\/or league authorities exercise supervisory powers to ensure ongoing compliance with these licensing conditions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Do you observe an increase in multi-sport ownership in your country, either across various sports or within one sport or sports discipline?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The sport market in Finland \u2013 compared to many European countries \u2013 is very limited. Spectator averages in all the top national leagues are low. Only ice hockey and football can occasionally get more than 10.000 spectators. Many sports in Finland are in a position where they have to pay for the broadcasting company to get TV-coverage.<\/p>\n<p>Most of the sport clubs in Finland are associations. In team sports like football, ice hockey, basketball and volleyball many of the teams in the top leagues are limited liability companies. Mostly these companies have the same name, same logo and so on as the association. Often the association has decided to separate their top team from the junior and other teams of the association to find more financial stability. The right to play the league remains in the association. The association basically only lends this right to the company. This model which is not recognized by the FIFA Rules for example has led to some unwanted situations when companies face bankruptcy.<\/p>\n<p>Above mentioned leads to the fact that there is no real multi-sport ownership in Finland. Also, the foreigner investors have so far not shown real interest in the Finnish Sport Clubs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any mandatory national provisions, apart from regulations of international sports governing bodies, which regulate athlete representation in your jurisdiction and are there specific limitations to the representation of athletes, such as e.g. provisions regarding dual representation, caps on agent commissions, regulations on the protection of minor athletes?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There are no mandatory national provisions that would regulate athlete representation in Finland.<\/p>\n<p>Act on Commercial Representatives and Salesmen concerns entrepreneurs who, in a representation contract concluded with another, the principal, have undertaken continuously to promote the sale or purchase of goods on behalf of the principal by obtaining offers for the principal or by concluding sales or purchase contracts in the name of the principal. The act does not apply to the athletes representation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there national statutory frameworks, apart from regulations of international sports governing bodies, or cases concerning the participation of transgender athletes in competitive sport in your country? How is the issue currently regulated and\/or debated?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There are no statutory frameworks concerning transgender athletes in sport in Finland.<\/p>\n<p>The sporting movement in Finland enjoys wide autonomy. Issues regarding transgender athletes are therefore left to the hands of the sporting movement.<\/p>\n<p>The Act on Legal Gender Recognition regulates, as its name suggests, the legal confirmation of gender. Under the new law, legal gender recognition alone is not a sufficient basis for obtaining the right to compete in a sports category other than the one corresponding to one\u2019s sex assigned at birth. Sports organisations must establish rules and criteria that define and determine eligibility for participation in gender-based competition categories.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the legal framework for e-sports in your jurisdiction? Is there a specific Statute or Code in your country or motions to implement such?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The Finnish Esports Federation (SEUL) acts as the umbrella organisation\u202ffor Finnish competitive electronic gaming. SEUL represents Finland in the International Esports Federation (IESF).<\/p>\n<p>A club or other legal entity operating as a registered association may be admitted to membership in the federation by a decision of the board. SEUL is a member of the Finnish Olympic Committee, and it receives financial support from the Ministry of Education and Culture as any other sport federation. SEUL has commited itself to the WADA Code.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Which has been the leading sports law case of the past year in your country?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The Floorball betting scandal is the one. A total of 114 players and club officials placed more than 1,000 bets on Finnish floorball matches between 2021 and 2025.<\/p>\n<p>The case was investigated by the Finnish Sports Ethics Centre (FINCIS). It also examined suspicions of insider information being used in two matches: Finland\u2013Norway at the 2024 World Cup in December last year and the Classic\u2013SPV semi-final in the F-League in April.<\/p>\n<p>In the World Cup case, abnormal betting patterns emerged before team lineups were officially published. Veikkaus, the state betting operator, flagged the activity.<\/p>\n<p>FINCIS did not find any evidence of match-fixing, meaning police will not be contacted. However, the case exposed gaps in insider information rules, which the Finnish Olympic Committee is now reviewing as part of a broader reform of sports discipline.<\/p>\n<p>The Finnish Floorball Federation will decide on sanctions for domestic matches, while the International Floorball Federation may take up the World Cup case.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What other sports law topic(s) would you highlight as being very current and relevant in your country?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>It is not a sports law topic as such, but the effects of opening the gaming monopoly in Finland will have huge financial impacts to sports in Finland. This will mean major changes in the financial support by the government to the sports movement. On the other hand, the change will open the sponsorship market.<\/p>\n<p>The gambling system will be reformed by dismantling the monopoly of the state-owned company Veikkaus and introducing a licensing model to open the market to competition. Currently, numerous companies outside the exclusive-rights system offer online gambling services to mainland Finland that are not subject to Finnish regulation or supervision, and whose profits are not taxed in Finland.<\/p>\n<p>The new gambling system will be implemented in stages. Gambling companies will be able to apply for operating licenses starting at the beginning of 2026. Licensed gambling activities may commence from the beginning of 2027. The current Veikkaus Oy will continue its monopoly operations until that time.<\/p>\n<p>Another ongoing discussion regards ice hockey\u2019s league system. The league has been closed since the season of 2000-2001. It has now been re-opened, but the requirements for a promotion have been quite unclear before. Now the criterion for promotion is so high that it\u2019s widely thought that there is only one possible club that could realistically fulfill the criteria. There is no clear sporting promotion and there is no real relegation possibility.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n<div class=\"word-count-hidden\" style=\"display:none;\">Estimated word count: <span class=\"word-count\">3489<\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<\/ol>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/twentyseventeen\/src\/jquery\/components\/filter-guides.js\" async><\/script><\/div>"}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide\/118682","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/comparative_guide"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=118682"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}