Finland's National Police Board (NPB) has received 75 applications for gambling licences as the country prepares for its competitive market opening in July 2027. This volume of interest has exceeded initial insider estimates, which had projected between 40 and 60 licence issues for the market. The NPB previously reported strong interest in June when applications reached 50.
Key Takeaways
- Finland’s National Police Board has received 75 gambling licence applications.
- The competitive market is scheduled to open in Finland in July 2027.
- Each application carries a €29,000 processing fee.
Regulatory Framework and Licence Categories
The NPB, acting as the temporary regulator, has processed applications for various licence categories ahead of the market launch. A gambling game licence is available for operators intending to offer online casino and other gambling products, while gaming software licences are specifically for casino content suppliers. The National Police Board acts as the supervisory authority until the end of June 2027.
Market Interest and Competition
The high demand for licences signals significant interest in the Finnish casino market, despite the established presence of state-owned Veikkaus. Veikkaus, which generated €936.3m in sales revenue in 2025, has also applied for licences to compete in the open market for online casino, among other verticals, alongside its exclusive lottery operations. The 75 licence applications are understood not all to be from unique companies, with some multi-functional businesses applying for more than one category.
Application Process and Timeline
Applicants for Finnish gambling licences should allow six to eight months for a decision, the National Police Board's target processing time. While there is no hard deadline or cap on applications, operators aiming to be active at the market's opening in July 2027 were likely encouraged to apply before the end of December 2026. The €29,000 fee is charged per application, whatever the decision.
Sources: Expectations exceeded in Finland with 75 licensing applications