The Finnish police have completed an investigation into an illegal casino in Pasila, Helsinki, identifying more than 15 suspects involved in its operations.
The officials claim the suspects rented the premises and ran card games, roulette and slot machines. The casino typically attracted dozens of players in the evenings.
Helsinki police Criminal Inspector Markus Metsänen stated: “The suspects have been mostly reluctant to talk about the events during interrogations.”
Players are not being charged with any offences, but some have been questioned as witnesses during the investigation. The venue was in operation between January and October last year.
The case has now been forwarded to the prosecutor for consideration of charges.
In September last year, an illegal casino was also uncovered in Töölö, Helsinki, hosting poker and blackjack games. According to police, the Pasila and Töölö cases are partly connected.
The case comes as Finland prepares for significant changes to its gambling market. The Veikkaus’s gambling monopoly is set to end in the summer of 2027.
Veikkaus will lose its exclusive rights to sports betting, online slot machines and online casino games. However, it will retain exclusivity over lottery products, scratch cards, land-based slot machines and casino games.
As the market prepares for liberalisation, dozens of Vantaa city officials have put forward a proposal to develop a major gambling and entertainment hub near Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.
Even though casino operations and slot machine games will remain under Veikkaus’s monopoly, local officials believe it would be timely to further open the gambling market.
Minister of Climate and Environment Sari Multala supports the proposal.
Ahead of its regulated gambling market launching on 1 July 2027, Finland has authorised a new regulatory body with broader powers to oversee all gaming operations in the country, replacing the National Police Board
