As Finland is preparing for the liberalization of its online gambling market, dozens of operators have submitted applications for a license. Since the application process for B2C licenses opened on March 1, 2026, the Gambling Administration has received 50 applications, according to the National Police Board (NPB).
Operator Interest Surges as Finland Prepares for iGaming Launch
According to Antti Koivula, chief compliance officer at Hippos ATG, interest in the Finnish market remains strong, and the number of applications and applicants is expected to exceed initial estimates. Koivula also stressed the importance of submitting complete and accurate applications, highlighting the regulator’s guidance that applicants should carefully follow the instructions and avoid repeatedly requesting status updates. According to Koivula, responding to such inquiries diverts resources from the application review process and places additional strain on the regulator’s already stretched resources.
Finland’s regulated iGaming market is set to go live on July 1, 2027, bringing an end to Veikkaus (Finland’s government-owned gaming operator )’s exclusive control of the online betting and gaming sector. Until then, the National Police Board will remain responsible for the licensing and supervision of operators. From July 2027 onward, these regulatory duties will be assumed by the Finnish Supervisory Agency.
While the full list of the 50 applicants has not been officially revealed, several operators have already confirmed their intention to enter the Finnish market by applying for local licenses. Among them is LeoVegas, whose Nordics managing director, Fredrik Wastenson, disclosed during a panel discussion at Summit Valletta 2026 that the company had submitted applications for two licenses.
With all of these applicants, Finland’s iGaming market is set to become one of the biggest in Europe.
When Will the Full List of Successful Applicants Be Revealed?
Although a significant number of applications have already been submitted, it may be some time before successful applicants are announced. The NPB has indicated that the review and processing of each license application currently takes around six months.
Earlier reports suggested that the application window might close later this summer. However, the NPB has since clarified that there is no deadline for submissions and that the licensing process will remain ongoing.
The regulator has nevertheless encouraged prospective operators to apply as early as possible to maximize their chances of obtaining approval before the market launches next summer. Juha Katainen, senior advisor at the NPB, explained that the application review and assessment process is more complex because most applicants are foreign operators.
In other gambling news from Finland, Veikkaus recently appointed Ilkka Kosola, an industry professional with a lot of experience, as the company’s new chief financial officer (CFO).