Finland approves six more gambling licences, totalling 18 before July 2027
National Police Board published figures on 29 Oct 2026; 63 applications remain pending.
Key Takeaways
- The National Police Board (NPB) approved 18 gambling licences on 29 October 2026 with a planned start date of 1 July 2027.
- There are 63 applications pending and the official register records a total of 81 submissions.
- The processing fee per application was €29,000 in 2026 and licences generally run to 30 June 2032.
- The NPB now estimates a six- to eight-month review period, longer than the initial three- to six-month forecast.
Finland has approved 18 gambling licences with a planned start date of 1 July 2027, the National Police Board (NPB) said when it published figures on 29 October 2026. The approvals constitute the initial administrative phase; the NPB has 63 further applications being processed, and the register records a total of 81 applications.
Timelines, term and pre-launch obligations
Approved licences will generally run from 1 July 2027 to 30 June 2032. No approval permits an operator to accept bets immediately: companies must complete audits and connect to the supervision system before they may operate or advertise under the new regime. In addition, licensed companies may not offer or market gambling activities before 1 July 2027. Veikkaus will retain its monopoly on online betting and casino until 30 June 2027, when the regulatory handover occurs: the NPB will manage licensing and supervision until June 2027 and thereafter the Finnish Supervisory Authority will assume those functions.
Application volume, fees and decision pace
The NPB said that since applications opened on 1 March 2026 interest has risen progressively: 50 applications in June, 75 in September and 81 at the date of the latest report. Each application cost €29,000 to process in 2026; the fee applies whether an application is approved or rejected. In addition, licensed operators will pay an annual supervisory fee once licences take effect. For details on the fee framework see the [processing fees and oversight](/b2b) section.
The NPB has not set a legal cap on the number of operators nor a closing date for submissions, and it expects to issue “dozens” more decisions. The official register identifies the legal entities applying, not necessarily the consumer-facing brands or the corporate groups to which they belong.
Who has been approved so far
Among the 18 approved entities are Hippos ATG Oy, Skill On Net Ltd and SuomiVeto Oy. Hippos ATG brings together Swedish operator ATG and the Finnish trotting association Suomen Hippos. SuomiVeto was formed by BetCity.nl founders Melvin Bostelaar and Joey Singels. Other approved entities include Cloudberry Ent Limited, KuuFlip Limited, Nivei Ursi Limited, RocketLily Ent Limited, SixthSpin Limited, YTBlue Limited, Granturo Finland Ltd and Sunflower Gaming Limited. The list also includes Roi Roger Limited, UnionJack Limited, Buccone Trading Limited, Benelongs Ltd, Stare Straight Ltd, Pot Luck Club Ltd and Amber Entertainment Finland Ltd.
Corporate announcements complement the register: Wildz Group reported its approval on 15 October 2026, Hippos ATG on 19 October and European Entertainment Group said on 22 October that it had obtained all licences it applied for, without specifying the authorised entities. These announcements are recorded in the public [news](/news) stream. No company from the Veikkaus group appears among the first tranche of approvals.
Why review timelines have lengthened
The NPB processes applications in order of receipt and now estimates a review period of six to eight months, up from an initial forecast of three to six months. The increased workload is driven by overseas verifications: many applicants operate outside Finland and must submit official foreign documents that authorities must review and frequently request further clarifications on.
"Having to request additional information naturally impacts processing times," said Juho Puisto, senior adviser in the NPB’s Gambling Administration.
The number of approvals and the duration of processes will continue to be updated as the NPB progresses its reviews and issues further decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do licences approved by the NPB take effect?
Approved licences are planned to take effect on 1 July 2027. Their general validity extends to 30 June 2032, and operators may not offer or advertise until the 1 July 2027 start date.
How many applications has the NPB received and how many are pending?
The NPB has recorded 81 applications in total and has 63 pending decisions according to the figures published on 29 October 2026. The register includes new companies and multiple filings from the same corporate group.
What is the cost to submit a licence application in Finland in 2026?
The processing fee per application was €29,000 in 2026. The fee is payable regardless of approval or rejection, and there is also an annual supervisory fee for authorised operators.
Why is the NPB taking longer to review licence applications?
The NPB processes applications in order received and now estimates six to eight months for reviews rather than the initial three to six months. The extension is mainly due to foreign verifications: many applicants operate abroad and must supply official documents that require additional checks and clarifications.
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About the author
Miguel Sandoval
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Miguel Sandoval tracks gambling legislation, licensing, and regulator enforcement — from Spain's DGOJ and the Latin American authorities to the UKGC, the MGA, and the state-by-state map in North America. The reports answer three questions precisely — what changed, where, and who it affects — with jurisdictions, dates, and penalties cited exactly as published. Operators and compliance officers read Miguel Sandoval to know which rulebook moved before their next meeting.
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