Finland Confirms 12 Gambling Licence Approvals Ahead of 2027 Market Launch
Finland’s National Police Board has confirmed that 12 gambling licences have been granted ahead of the country’s regulated online gambling market opening on 1 July 2027, with no applications rejected so far.
Twelve companies have received licences to operate in Finland’s upcoming online gambling market, according to figures disclosed by the National Police Board following an information request from iGB.
Several operators, including Wildz Group and HipposATG, had previously announced their own licence approvals. The regulator’s response provides the first official confirmation of the number of licences granted so far.
Finland is preparing to end its state monopoly over online gambling, allowing private operators to enter the market from 1 July 2027. The National Police Board is administering the licensing process.
As of 26 October, the regulator had received 79 gambling licence applications. Twelve licences had been granted, while none had been rejected.
The companies approved to launch online gambling operations when the market opens are:
Hippos ATG Oy
Sunflower Gaming Limited
Granturo Finland Ltd (Wildz Group)
Skill On Net Ltd
SuomiVeto Oy
Cloudberry Ent Limited
SixthSpin Limited
KuuFlip Limited
RocketLily Ent Limited
Nivei Ursi Limited
YTBlue Limited
Buccone Trading Limited
Veikkaus and Other Operators Await Decisions
Veikkaus, Finland’s current state-owned gambling operator, was not among the companies listed as having received a licence. The company has also applied to continue operating in the market following liberalisation.
Veikkaus is expected to benefit from its established brand recognition and existing customer base when private competition begins.
However, the operator will retain its monopoly over lottery products, scratchcards and land-based gaming machines after the market opens, while online gambling will be opened to competition.
Interest Grows Ahead of Market Opening
Finland’s planned liberalisation has attracted interest from gambling operators seeking access to a new regulated market. The country is among the latest European jurisdictions to move away from a monopoly-based online gambling model.
According to H2 Gambling Capital data cited in the original report, Finland’s gambling market was estimated to generate €1.9bn in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in 2026, with online gambling accounting for approximately 81% of the total.
The market is regarded as mature, with high levels of gambling participation and an established regulatory framework. Its transition to a licensing system will allow private operators to compete in the online sector while Veikkaus retains exclusive rights over specified gambling products.
