Finland’s Gambling Licence Applications Climb to 75 Ahead of 2027 Market Opening

Finland’s National Police Board has received 75 gambling licence applications as the country prepares to open its competitive gambling market on July 1, 2027. This figure, as reported by World Casino News, reflects a rise from 50 applications in June and approximately 50 in August, with another 25 submissions arriving in roughly seven weeks as of September 22.

Applications opened on March 1, 2026. Senior Adviser Sanna Kuusela reported 24 filings in March and 23 in May. The Board has issued no decisions on any application to date, according to iGaming Finland. Its target processing time is six to eight months, and submissions remain open without a fixed deadline. Finnish law sets no cap on the number of licences.

Application Volume Moves Past Prior Estimates

The 75 applications exceed earlier projections of 40 to 60 licences, University of Helsinki researcher Janne Nikkinen noted. Sweden, with roughly twice Finland’s population, holds 89 licences. This demonstrates the commercial attention surrounding Finland’s upcoming market.

The 75 filings do not necessarily represent 75 distinct companies, since one application can cover multiple categories. Known applicants include state-owned Veikkaus, which established two subsidiaries in May and applied for both exclusive and competitive operations, Unibet, and FDJ United. Joel Häkämies, who oversees FDJ United’s Finnish operations, said the company filed in May and has yet to receive approval. Each application carries a €29,000 processing fee regardless of outcome.

Processing Timelines Create Entry Uncertainty

The reformed system opens competition in fixed-odds betting, variable-odds betting, virtual betting, online casino games, online slots, and online cash bingo. Veikkaus retains its monopoly on lottery products, scratch cards, physical slot machines, and casino games. Licensed operators may advertise on television, radio, and in newspapers, but influencer marketing and direct telephone marketing face restrictions. Oversight shifts to the National Supervisory Authority on July 1, 2027.

A September application could face review until spring 2027 under the full eight-month window. Licences may issue after the market opens, yet the Board has not indicated how many of the current filings it expects to resolve before launch or how many represent separate operators. This leaves timing as a concrete risk for companies targeting day-one participation.

Reporting: World Casino News

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