Finland’s online gambling licensing window attracts almost 50 applications
Regulators say the large number of foreign applicants for Finnish gambling licences has increased the complexity of the process.
Finland. The National Police Board says it has already received close to 50 applications since the process for online gambling licensing in Finland opened on March 1. Some stakeholders have observed that the total reflects significant interest for a country that has a population of just 5.65 million.
Senior advisor Juha Katainen of the police board’s Gambling Administration department said the majority of submissions are from international operators, which he said “increases the complexity of processing and evaluating their submissions.” This includes an assessment of the financial situation of affiliated entities.
Finnish online gambling licensing timeline
While the Finnish Gambling Act approved in December ultimately led to the creation of a dedicated National Supervisory Authority to take over oversight when the market goes live, the National Police Board (Poliisihallitus) is responsible for issuing the initial licences. While there is no formal deadline for applications, the board has said it aims to complete reviews within six months.
Katainen said the board is prioritising an evaluation of the “reliability and suitability” of applicants based on corporate records, financial documentation and certification. He asked operators to avoid slowing them down with repeated status enquiries, suggesting that the best way to ensure an efficient process was for applicants to follow instructions carefully and submit complete documentation from the outset. The regulator has pledged to publish average processing times on its website as more data becomes available.
Finland’s competitive regulated online gaming market is scheduled to open in July 2027, ending state-owned Veikkaus’s long-standing monopoly over the sector. Known contenders for licences include Hippos ATG and Paf.
Many of the finer details have yet to be confirmed, such as the precise rules on advertising, bonuses and player protection obligations.
There has been speculation over whether Finland will sell Veikkaus, or part of it. The operator is being split in two, with one company continuing to operate lottery and retail offerings as a monopoly while the other will operate online gambling and the company’s growing B2B offerings through its Fennica Gaming studio. However, there are stark political divisions on how these companies should be controlled going forward.
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