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12 Finnish gambling licences granted, no rejections yet
The National Police Board confirmed on 26 October 2026 that 12 operators have received licences to launch online gambling in Finland when the market opens on 1 July 2027. The decision follows an information request from iGB and precedes earlier public announcements by several applicants, including Wildz Group and HipposATG.
Operators cleared for the 2027 launch
The approved companies 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, and Buccone Trading Limited. Each will be able to offer casino, sports betting, and other gaming products once the liberalisation takes effect.
Application volume and decision pattern
The Board reported that 79 licence applications had been submitted by 26 October. Twelve approvals and zero rejections indicate a highly permissive stance, but the regulator has not yet disclosed the criteria used to differentiate successful bids from those still pending. The absence of any rejections could signal a low threshold for entry, raising concerns about market saturation and operator solvency.
Veikkaus still waiting
Veikkaus, Finland’s state-owned monopoly, is not on the list of approved operators. The company has applied to continue contesting the online market after liberalisation, but no decision has been made. Veikkaus will retain control over lottery, scratch cards and land-based gaming machines, while online gambling will be open to private competition. The lack of a licence for Veikkaus could alter competitive dynamics once the market opens, especially given its brand recognition and existing customer database.
Market size and player risk
Finland’s online gambling market is projected to generate €1.9 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in 2026, with 81 % of that coming from online sources. The high per-capita gambling rate and mature regulatory regime make Finland an attractive target for operators. However, the rapid influx of new licences may strain withdrawal systems and KYC processes, potentially delaying payouts for players.
Practical implications for players and operators
- Instant withdrawal reliability: With 12 new operators entering the market, banks and payment processors must scale to handle increased volume. Any bottleneck could delay player withdrawals, eroding trust.
- Solvency monitoring: Regulators will need to enforce strict solvency requirements to prevent operator insolvency, which could leave players with unfulfilled winnings.
- RTP verification: Operators must provide audited RTP data. The lack of a rejection process raises questions about the rigor of RTP audits.
- Terms and conditions scrutiny: Players should examine wagering requirements and bonus terms closely, as new operators may offer aggressive promotions to capture market share.
What to watch next
- The regulator’s decision on Veikkaus will clarify whether the state operator can compete online.
- The first batch of operators will test the robustness of Finland’s payment infrastructure.
- Monitoring of withdrawal times and KYC compliance will reveal whether the licensing regime is truly player-friendly.
Related insights
For a deeper look at how new licences can affect player experience, see the Finnish gambling licences: ComeOn and SuomiVeto secure licences ahead of 2027 launch.
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