Background
Finland is replacing Veikkaus's monopoly on online betting and casino games with a licensing system. The application window opened on 1 March 2026, with 24 applications in the first month. The total stood at around 50 through the summer before rising to 75.
There is no cap on the number of licences and no closing date for applications. The regulator aims to decide each application within six to eight months, and applicants are assessed on reliability and suitability. Most applicants are foreign companies.
What this means for players
Until 1 July 2027, Veikkaus remains the only operator permitted to offer online gambling in Finland. The IRLG Finland page will be updated as licences are granted.
Sources
- Licensing of gambling operators — National Police Board of Finland
- Finland gambling licence queue hits 75 with no decisions yet — CasinoDaddy, 25 September 2026