Finland Sees 75 Licensing Bids Less Than a Year to Market Opening

Finland’s gambling regulator has confirmed that 75 licence applications are now on its desk, less than a year before the country’s competitive market opens on July 1, 2027.

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By September 22, the National Police Board had received 75 applications, up from the 50 recorded in June and still described as “around 50” in August. That means 25 new bids arrived in just under two months, according to a World Casino Directory report.

The application process began in March 2026, and the flow of submissions has been steady since then. Officials noted that 24 applications were filed in the first month, followed by 23 more in May. The regulator has set a target review period of six to eight months, but there is no fixed deadline, meaning operators can continue to apply while decisions are pending.

Unlike some jurisdictions, Finland’s legislation does not limit the number of licences available. Any operator that meets the requirements can be approved, rather than competing for a restricted quota. Operators are also allowed to submit multiple applications with different brands, and categories.

€29,000 processing fee not moving anyone

Operators entering Finland’s new gambling system must pay a €29,000 processing fee for each licence application, whether their bid succeeds or fails. The charge has not slowed the flow of applications, with dozens already filed as the country prepares to open its competitive market in summer 2027. 

The licence itself covers a wide range of products, including fixed‑odds and variable‑odds betting, virtual betting, online casino games, slots and even online cash bingo.

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At the same time, Veikkaus will keep its monopoly over lotteries, scratch cards, physical slot machines and casino games. A separate exclusive licence remains reserved for a state‑controlled company, which in practice means a Veikkaus Group subsidiary.

Software suppliers will enter a different licensing track, with applications scheduled to begin once the competitive market opens. Marketing rules will also shift under the new framework, allowing licensed operators to advertise through television, radio and newspapers, while restricting influencer promotions and direct calls.

Oversight will move from the National Police Board to the National Supervisory Authority when the new system starts on July 1, 2027.

With applications taking six to eight months to process, timing is crucial. A bid filed in September could remain under review until spring 2027, while later applicants may only receive decisions after the market has already launched. 

Finland’s law does allow approvals after opening day, meaning operators can still enter once their licences are granted.

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