Finland Receives 75 Gambling Licence Applications

Finland’s gambling regulator has received 75 licence applications as the country moves closer to the launch of its new competitive gambling market on July 1, 2027.

The National Police Board had recorded 75 applications by September 22, according to a World Casino Directory report. The figure represents an increase of 25 applications from the 50 recorded in June, while August figures had still been described as “around 50.”

Finland opened the application process in March 2026, with submissions continuing at a steady pace. A total of 24 applications were received during the first month, followed by another 23 in May.

The regulator expects individual applications to take between six and eight months to review. However, no fixed application deadline has been introduced, allowing operators to continue submitting applications while existing bids remain under consideration.

No Limit on Available Licences

Finland’s new framework does not impose a cap on the number of gambling licences that can be issued. Operators that satisfy the required conditions can therefore receive approval without competing for a limited number of available licences.

Companies can also file multiple applications covering different brands and categories.

Each application carries a €29,000 processing fee, regardless of whether the licence is ultimately approved or rejected. The fee has not prevented operators from continuing to enter the application process, with dozens of submissions already made ahead of the 2027 market opening.

The licence framework covers products including fixed-odds and variable-odds betting, virtual betting, online casino games, slots and online cash bingo.

Veikkaus, meanwhile, will retain its monopoly covering lotteries, scratch cards, physical slot machines and casino games. A separate exclusive licence will also remain available to a state-controlled company, which in practice means a subsidiary of Veikkaus Group.

Suppliers and Advertising Rules

Software providers will follow a separate licensing process, with applications due to begin once the competitive gambling market officially opens.

The advertising framework will also change under the new system. Licensed operators will be permitted to promote their services through television, radio and newspapers, while influencer marketing and direct calls will face restrictions.

Regulatory responsibility is also set to change. From July 1, 2027, supervision will transfer from the National Police Board to the National Supervisory Authority.

The six-to-eight-month processing period makes the timing of applications significant. Applications submitted in September could remain under review until spring 2027, while operators applying later may not receive decisions until after the new market has opened.

However, Finland’s legislation allows licences to be approved after July 1, 2027, meaning operators can still enter the market once their applications have been approved.