Finland Receives Record 75 Applications for New Online Gambling Licences
Dana Schmitt · Sep 27, 2026
Finland Receives Record 75 Applications for New Online Gambling Licences
Finland has drawn 75 applications for gambling licences under its new competitive framework for online betting and casino operations, a figure that surpasses the earlier projection of 40 to 60 submissions and marks an increase from the 50 applications recorded in June, while the market itself remains scheduled to open on July 1, 2027.
Observers note that no licences have received approval so far, and the regulator continues to estimate processing times between six and eight months for each submission, which leaves the door open for further growth in applications before decisions begin to roll out in the coming months.
Application Numbers Climb Steadily
The total climbed quickly from the June count, a development that reflects sustained interest from both domestic and international operators seeking entry into the regulated space, and data from the Finnish Police shows continued momentum in the pipeline for licences under the Gambling Act.
Those tracking the process point out that the 75 applications cover online betting and casino activities exclusively, since the state monopoly will persist without change for lotteries, scratch cards, and all land-based slots plus physical casinos, which means the competitive segment opens only in the digital realm starting mid-2027.
Known Applicants and Market Participants
Veikkaus, the current state monopoly holder, appears among the applicants alongside operators such as Unibet, and this mix illustrates how established players and new entrants alike have positioned themselves for the shift, while the regulator processes every file according to the same timeline and criteria.
Figures reveal that the surge occurred without any licences granted yet, so the market structure remains in a preparatory phase even as September 2026 brings renewed attention to the steady rise in submissions and the six-to-eight-month review window ahead.
Regulatory Timeline and Next Steps
Processing times estimated at six to eight months mean that early approvals could surface toward the end of 2026 or early 2027, which aligns with the July 1, 2027 launch date and allows operators time to prepare platforms and compliance measures once decisions arrive.
The Finnish Police, which oversees licences under the Gambling Act, continues to handle the influx without reported delays beyond the standard estimate, and those who monitor the statistics note the absence of any approvals to date despite the elevated volume of 75 active applications.
Scope of the New Competitive Market
Only online betting and casino services fall under the new licensing regime, whereas lotteries, scratch cards, and land-based slots together with physical casinos stay under the existing state monopoly, a division that keeps certain revenue streams protected while opening digital channels to competition.
Veikkaus and Unibet stand out among the known applicants, yet the full list remains confidential during the review period, which prevents observers from identifying every participant until the regulator begins issuing decisions in line with the six-to-eight-month processing schedule.
Conclusion
The 75 applications received so far represent a clear expansion beyond initial forecasts, and the upward trend from June onward continues to shape expectations for Finland's regulated online market that opens July 1, 2027, while the monopoly structure for lotteries, scratch cards, and land-based operations remains firmly in place throughout the transition.