The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) will investigate state-owned gambling operator Veikkaus following a complaint from [Swedish operator] ATG, which alleges anti-competitive behavior ahead of Finland’s market liberalization. ATG has accused Veikkaus of five specific practices that it claims restrict competition and harm consumers.
It comes as Finland approaches the 2027 liberalization of its gambling market, which has historically only permitted Veikkaus to offer gaming services as the monopoly operator.
Ahead of the introduction of Finland’s regulated commercial gambling market, ATG highlighted five areas which it said demonstrated Veikkaus’ anti-competitive behavior.
Firstly, the harness operator said Veikkaus unilaterally terminated their 16-year partnership, stopping the distribution of data and visual content to Sweden and therefore preventing Swedish customers from betting on Finnish horse races.
