Finland has approved its first 18 gambling licences under the country’s new regulatory framework, marking a significant step towards opening its online betting and casino market to private operators on 1 July 2027.
Finland has taken another important step towards ending its long-standing online gambling monopoly, with the National Police Board confirming that 18 companies have received their first operating licences under the new Gambling Act.
The announcement, published on 29 October, represents a major milestone for operators preparing to enter the Finnish market. At the same time, the regulator confirmed that a further 63 licence applications are still being processed, highlighting the level of interest in the upcoming market opening.
The licences will allow approved companies to organise gambling activities, including sports betting and online casino games, once the new system becomes operational on 1 July 2027.
81 Applications Received, 18 Licences Approved
According to the National Police Board, a total of 81 gambling licence applications had been submitted by the time of the announcement. Of these, 18 had been approved, while the remaining 63 were still under review.
The list of approved companies includes Cloudberry Ent Limited, KuuFlip Limited, Nivei Ursi Limited, RocketLily Ent Limited, SixthSpin Limited, YTBlue Limited, Granturo Finland, Hippos ATG, Skill On Net, Sunflower Gaming, SuomiVeto, Roi Roger, UnionJack, Buccone Trading, Benelongs, Stare Straight, Pot Luck Club and Amber Entertainment Finland.
Several of these companies are connected to established international gaming groups, making the initial approvals particularly relevant for the European iGaming sector.
The licences are generally valid from 1 July 2027 until 30 June 2032, unless otherwise specified.
Licensing Process Could Take Up to Eight Months
While the first approvals have been confirmed, the National Police Board has indicated that the licensing process remains demanding.
The estimated processing time currently stands at six to eight months. According to senior adviser Juho Puisto, many applicants are foreign companies and must provide official documentation and supporting reports from their respective jurisdictions.
The regulator explained that individual applications can involve hundreds of pages of documentation. Differences in the format and content of official documents from different countries can also require additional clarification, extending the assessment process.
Applications have been accepted since March 2026 and can still be submitted, meaning the list of approved operators is expected to grow before the market opens.
A New Competitive Landscape for Finnish iGaming
The reform represents a major structural change for Finland’s gambling industry. Under the new framework, private companies will be able to compete in the licensed online betting and casino segments, creating opportunities for established international operators as well as new market entrants.
For suppliers, the opening could create demand for new commercial agreements, platform integrations, localised content and distribution partnerships.
Operators, meanwhile, will need to prepare for the requirements of the Finnish licensing regime, including regulatory compliance and the technical arrangements needed to operate within the new system.
The transition also involves a change in regulatory responsibilities. The National Police Board will remain responsible for licensing and supervision until the end of June 2027. From July 2027, these duties will pass to the Finnish Supervisory Agency.
July 2027: The Next Major Milestone
The approval of the first 18 licences provides an early indication of the companies positioning themselves for Finland’s newly regulated online gambling market.
However, the process is far from complete. With 63 applications still awaiting decisions and further applications potentially on the way, the competitive landscape could change considerably over the coming months.
For the European iGaming industry, Finland is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched market openings of 2027. The next phase will be defined by further licence approvals, operators’ preparations and the practical implementation of the new regulatory framework.