Finland Confirms Dual-Licence Framework for 2027 Market Opening

A New Structure for a New Market

The plan introduces two licence types — one for operators and one for suppliers. Officials say the change could bring clearer rules and better control over online betting and casino games. B2C licences will cover operators. B2B licences will cover game software suppliers.

Operators may apply for five-year licences in early 2026. Each licence comes with a 22 percent tax on gross gaming revenue. The rate looks firm, though some experts say it may shape which companies decide to enter the market.

A key rule is simple. Licensed operators must use only approved software. This rule — once active — may push companies to update their systems and follow tighter checks.

The Rise of the Supplier Licence

Applications for the new supplier licence open in early 2027. Full compliance starts on 1 January 2028. The short timeline may push suppliers to prepare early so their games can stay in use when the market opens. Key points behind the supplier rules include:

• Stronger checks on software.

• Clearer due-diligence duties.

• Fewer openings for offshore sites.

Veikkaus Faces a Split

The reform will also break Veikkaus into two separate legal units — a move designed to meet EU competition rules. One unit will keep a 10-year monopoly over lottery products, physical slot machines, and land-based casinos. The other will compete in the open online market under the same rules as private companies.

This shift may bring pressure. Veikkaus will now compete in a field it once controlled alone. Its recent behavior has faced questions, and some filings noted concerns about how it used its strong position. A Swedish operator raised claims of unfair actions earlier this year, adding more heat to the debate.

Oversight Takes Center Stage

A new supervisory authority inside the future Permit and Supervision Agency will run market oversight. It will be funded through industry fees — a model that may keep the system steady over time.

Officials hope the new framework will cut offshore activity and build trust among users. The work starts in 2026, but the real test arrives in 2027 when licences go live and companies enter a market once defined by a single operator.