Finland is preparing for the liberalization of its online gambling sector, with the National Police Board reporting substantial interest from operators. Since the application window for B2C licences opened on March 1, 2026, the Gambling Administration has received 50 applications. The majority of these applicants are foreign companies, which adds complexity to the evaluation process.
Application Process and Evaluation
Each applicant must pay a processing fee of €29,000 before their application enters formal review. The National Police Board assesses the “reliability and suitability” of applicants through submitted documents, including corporate register extracts, certificates, and various reports. Juha Katainen, Senior Adviser at the National Police Board, stated: “The reliability and suitability of the applicants will be evaluated on the basis of documents, such as register extracts, certificates and various reports, submitted by the applicant. The complexity of processing and evaluating applications is affected by the fact that the majority of applicants are foreign.”
Additional information may be requested to clarify financial positions of companies linked to applicants, which could affect funding for operations. The Board emphasizes that careful adherence to instructions and submission of required documents is essential for efficient processing. Katainen also advised: “The best way applicants can help the processing of their application is by following the instructions given and submitting their application carefully.”
The target processing time for applications is approximately six months. While there is no deadline for submissions, officials encourage applicants to take this timeframe into account and to avoid frequent status inquiries, which can slow the process. The National Police Board has stated that information about average processing times will be updated on its website as soon as possible.
Market Interest and Operator Numbers
The application figures suggest that interest in the Finnish market exceeds initial estimates. Antti Koivula, Chief Compliance Officer at Hippos ATG, commented: “The interest in the Finnish market is high. At this point it is clear that there will be more applications and applicants than were initially estimated.” Koivula also emphasized the importance of carefully submitting applications and avoiding repeated enquiries: “The regulator also gave a very Finnish and very understandable message to applicants: read the instructions, submit the application carefully and avoid constantly asking for status updates, because answering those questions takes time away from processing applications. They are simply stretching their resources as it is.”
Industry sources suggest a sustainable number of operators may range between 60 and 70, although actual figures are expected to be lower. Jaakko Soininen, Managing Director at Finnplay, noted that the operators who submit applications by the end of August are likely the ones that will go live when the market opens.
Market Launch and Regulatory Transition
The Finnish iGaming market is scheduled to launch on July 1, 2027, ending Veikkaus’ monopoly over online betting and gaming. Until that date, the National Police Board will continue licensing and supervising operators. After July 2027, regulatory oversight will transfer to the Finnish Supervisory Agency.
B2B operators will have their application window open from July 1, 2027, and will be required to obtain licences within one year to continue serving the market. The licensing process is designed to ensure regulatory compliance, financial stability, and player protection. Early applicants have already received requests for additional information to support a thorough evaluation.
The structured licensing regime positions Finland alongside other Nordic countries, such as Sweden and Denmark, in moving toward a commercial model for online gambling. By maintaining rigorous evaluation standards, the authorities aim to create a competitive and compliant market that protects players while enabling licensed operators to launch operations legally.