75 Applicants Queued Up For a Suomi Gambling License

After 85 years of monopoly, the online gambling reform has finally been introduced, opening the Suomi iGaming market to the private sector. The process began in March as part of the transition to its new Gambling Act.

Licensing and regulatory control will remain with the National Police Board until early July 2027, after which it will be transferred to the Finnish Supervisory Agency.

Finland Continues Pushing Its Betting Reform

National authorities will govern marketing, requiring operators to moderate their promotions in terms of amount, scope, visibility, and frequency to fall within the new regulations.

The licensing process is getting underway more than 9 months before Suomi’s competitive gambling market is due to open. Until the end of June 2027, state-owned Veikkaus will retain its privilege to provide iGaming services.

Who Are the Early Bird Contenders

Licensed operators will be permitted to launch and promote their products from mid-summer 2027, provided they have completed the required inspections and connected to the regulatory apparatus.

Several international operators have already moved to secure a permit. Unibet has submitted an application and partnered with Superpesis to cover top-tier men’s and women’s pesäpallo competitions. At Summit Valletta 2026, Fredrik Wastenson, Managing Director for LeoVegas, said the company had applied for a couple of licenses.

Finland’s licensing regime is initially expected to attract fewer operators than neighbouring Sweden, which has issued 89 permits despite having twice Suomi’s population.