Finland’s state-owned gambling operator Veikkaus has revealed plans to expand into international markets as it prepares for competition in online gambling after losing its...
24 operators apply for licenses in Finnish regulated market
A total of 24 online operators have submitted applications for iGaming licenses in Finland’s newly regulated market, which is set to launch on July 1, 2027.
The country began taking steps in 2025 to eliminate Veikkaus’s monopoly of the online gambling industry, and after months of negotiations, Finland confirmed the establishment of a competitive iGaming market.
Data shows that more than 70% of adults in Finland take part in some form of gambling, which explains operators’ strong interest in the market. On the other hand, some operators are still waiting to receive more details about iGaming ads and responsible gambling tools to be clarified before applying.
It’s expected that at the time of the market launch, the country could have up to 50 licensees, with Veikkaus believed to remain a leading player despite losing its exclusive rights and having to go through reforms.
Additionally, most of the applications are private European operators, although the specific list hasn’t been published yet. This shows that only a few domestic companies have applied, which raises questions about local participation being limited.
Estimates show that Finland’s iGaming market could reach $2 billion in gross gaming revenue in 2026, with $1.3 billion coming from gaming through online channels.
Finland has officially opened applications for online gambling licenses as the country is moving to end the monopoly of the state-controlled Veikkaus and launch the regulated...
