Finland Gambling Licence Filings Reach 75 Before 2027 Launch
Finland’s National Police Board had received 75 gambling licence applications by September 22, 2026, as companies prepare for the country’s competitive market to open on July 1, 2027. The regulator had yet to decide any of the applications, leaving prospective entrants awaiting approval ahead of the change.
The latest count follows a June total of 50 applications. Reports in August continued to place the figure at approximately 50, before another 25 filings brought the September tally to 75. That increase occurred over roughly seven weeks.
Applications remain open without a closing date
Companies have been able to apply since March 1, 2026. Sanna Kuusela, an adviser at the National Police Board, identified March and May as particularly active months during the initial application period. The regulator received 24 applications in March and another 23 in May.
Finland has set no final date for submissions. Companies can continue applying as preparations for the market opening proceed, and the legislation places no ceiling on the number of operators that may secure licences. Applicants must satisfy the relevant requirements to obtain approval.
The regulator currently targets a processing period of six to eight months. Filing an application therefore starts a review process that can extend across several months, while companies wait for permission to begin operating.
Unibet submitted its application in May. Joel Häkämies, who heads FDJ United’s Finnish operations, confirmed that the company still awaited approval. Its pending application forms part of the wider group of filings on which the National Police Board has yet to issue decisions.
Licence categories shape the future market
The application count exceeds earlier estimates of 40 to 60 licences. University of Helsinki researcher Janne Nikkinen compared those expectations with Sweden’s 89 licences and its population, which is roughly twice Finland’s.
‘Finland is attracting interest. After all, this is a billion-dollar pot that is being distributed here now.’
Applications do not necessarily correspond to separate companies. A business may apply across licence categories, while one gambling licence application can encompass multiple eligible products.
Veikkaus has sought licences for its exclusive activities and its future competitive operations. It created two subsidiaries in May.
The competitive licence covers fixed-odds and variable-odds betting. It also includes virtual betting, alongside online casino games. Operators can offer online slots and online cash bingo under the same framework.
Veikkaus will keep exclusive rights to lotteries and scratch cards, together with physical slot machines and casino games. A state-controlled company alone can obtain the exclusive licence.
Applicants pay a €29,000 processing fee in 2026 regardless of the outcome. Software licence applications will open in July 2027. The National Supervisory Authority will take over licensing and supervision on July 1, 2027.
Review periods may extend beyond opening day
The processing timetable allows applications to remain pending close to the market’s launch. A September submission could reach a decision in spring 2027 if the review takes the full eight months. Later filings could remain under consideration after the competitive market opens.
Finland permits authorities to grant licences after July 1, 2027. Companies receiving approval later can begin operating once they hold the necessary licence, allowing further entrants to join after the initial opening.
The National Police Board has not stated how many applications it expects to resolve before launch. Its outstanding decisions leave the eventual opening-day participation uncertain despite the growth in submissions.
Source:
Finland Receives 75 Gambling Licence Applications for 2027, news.worldcasinodirectory.com, September 25, 2026.