Finland Opens Online Gambling Licence Applications Ahead of Market Reform
HELSINKI, Finland – The Finnish government has opened the application process for licences to operate online gambling services, marking the first major step toward ending Veikkaus’s long-standing monopoly.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:For operators and players, the move sets the stage for a competitive regulated market expected to launch in July 2027.
The reform is part of Finland’s broader effort to modernize its gambling framework and bring offshore activity into a regulated environment.
Related: Finland Ends State Gambling Monopoly; Online Licences Open from March 1
Early Applicants Enter the Market
One of the first companies to act after the licence window opened was Hippos ATG Oy, a joint venture between Sweden’s betting group ATG and Finnish horse racing body Suomen Hippos.
The group immediately submitted its application to participate in the upcoming market. If approved, Hippos ATG plans to offer a full portfolio of products including sportsbook betting, online casino games and horse racing wagers.
Antti Koivula, Chief Compliance Officer at Hippos ATG, said the application marks a turning point for Finland’s racing sector.
Koivula noted that betting connected directly to the sport could help strengthen the financial ecosystem around horse racing, ensuring that wagering activity supports the industry itself.
A Detailed Licensing Process
Finland’s National Police Board will initially oversee the licence review process. Officials estimate that evaluating each application will take between three and six months.
After the initial approval stage, operators must complete technical integrations with government systems before they can launch services. The full licensing journey, including compliance checks and system testing, is expected to take roughly ten months for each applicant.
Because of the strict timeline, potential operators are already preparing their technology infrastructure and regulatory documentation well in advance.
Growing Interest from International Operators
Several European gambling companies are already positioning themselves for entry into Finland’s future market. The Åland Islands-based operator Paf has been widely mentioned as a potential competitor, while Immense Group recently appointed a Managing Director to oversee its Finnish expansion plans.
Technology providers are also moving quickly. Kambi has secured partnerships with local entities such as SuomiVeto, signaling early efforts to establish sportsbook platforms ahead of the market opening.
Industry observers expect the competitive landscape to intensify as additional international operators submit licence applications over the coming months.
More Regulation
Strict Technology and Player Protection Rules
Finland’s new Gambling Act places strong emphasis on consumer protection and digital identity verification. Every licensed operator will be required to conduct mandatory identity checks before allowing players to open accounts.
The verification process will likely rely on Finland’s existing Bank-ID authentication system, enabling authorities to confirm user identities instantly. Access to licensed online gambling services will be restricted to permanent residents.
Players will also be required to set daily and monthly spending limits before placing wagers. Regulators believe these safeguards will reduce the risk of excessive gambling and improve transparency across the sector.
New Regulatory Oversight
To strengthen oversight, Finland plans to transfer regulatory authority from the National Police Board to a newly established National Supervisory Authority.
The future regulator will have expanded powers to collect industry data, enforce compliance rules and issue substantial fines for violations. Authorities have also allocated €1.5 million in the 2026 national budget to support research and monitoring related to gambling harms.
As Finland moves toward a regulated competitive market, the reform presents both opportunity and responsibility. For operators, it opens the door to a previously closed market. For regulators, it creates the challenge of balancing commercial growth with strict player protection standards.
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