Finland’s National Police Board has announced the first 12 companies approved to enter the country’s revamped online gambling market. The move is part of a reform that will end the state monopoly and introduce regulated competition among private operators from 1 July 2027.
Finland Approves First 12 Gambling Licence Applications
As of 26 October, Finland’s National Police Board had received 79 applications under the country’s new gambling licensing framework. Twelve applications had been approved, and the regulator had not rejected any.
Applications for licences have been accepted since 1 March 2026. However, the licences will not come into effect before 1 July 2027. Approved companies will be able to begin offering gambling services once their licences officially become effective.
The first group of approved applicants includes Hippos ATG Oy, Sunflower Gaming Limited, and Granturo Finland Ltd, part of Wildz Group. Skill On Net Ltd, SuomiVeto Oy, Cloudberry Ent Limited, and SixthSpin Limited have also been approved.
The remaining approved companies are KuuFlip Limited, RocketLily Ent Limited, Nivei Ursi Limited, YTBlue Limited, and Buccone Trading Limited. The regulator has therefore confirmed the approval of all 12 companies in the first group of licence applicants.
Finland Moves Towards a Competitive Gambling Market
State-owned Veikkaus, which currently holds a monopoly in the gambling market, was not included in the first list of approved applicants. However, it will retain exclusive rights to lottery games, scratch cards, land-based gaming machines, and land-based casino games. Licensed private operators will be allowed to offer online betting, slots, casino games, and money bingo.
The National Police Board will remain responsible for gambling licensing and supervision until the end of June 2027. These responsibilities will transfer to the Finnish Supervisory Agency when the competitive market opens on 1 July 2027.
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