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Licensed provider specialising in
fintech licensing and compliance
Finland is opening online casino and betting to licensed operators under the new Gambling Act.Applications are open now, and licensed operators can start serving Finnish players on 1 July 2027.
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Overview
The Gambling Act (Rahapelilaki, 10/2026) replaces the online part of Finland’s state monopoly with a licensing system. A gambling licence covers the online casino and betting forms you apply for, while lotteries and land-based slot machines and casinos stay under exclusive licences for a state-controlled company. The licensing chapter has applied since 1 March 2026, and the Act takes full effect on 1 July 2027.
One licence type for online casino, slots, bingo and fixed-odds, pool or virtual betting, as you choose
Applications have been accepted since 1 March 2026; licensed operation starts on 1 July 2027
Licences run for up to 5 years; renew 6 months ahead and keep operating until the decision
Lottery tax of 22% on the gaming margin (stakes less winnings), self-assessed by the operator
No Finnish company required: operators outside the EEA appoint a representative domiciled in the EEA
Supervised by the Finnish Supervisory Agency, which also supervises AML for licence holders
Finland applies some of the strictest player-protection rules in Europe: identified play only, mandatory deposit limits, a central self-exclusion register and tight marketing rules. The application must show how you will meet them, together with your AML set-up and the certification of your gaming system. We prepare the application and the compliance framework behind it, so you are ready when the market opens.
Coverage
One licence type covers every online form opened to competition, so the right application depends on the games you plan to offer to Finnish players. These are the operators the new market is built for.
You need: to offer online casino games and slots to players resident in Finland under a Finnish licence.
Finland gives you: a gambling licence for online casino games and online slot games, for up to 5 years, with the 22% lottery tax on the gaming margin.
You need: to offer fixed-odds, pool or virtual betting to Finnish players.
Finland gives you: the betting forms you apply for under the same licence type, with Finnish rules on which events may be bet on.
You need: to run casino, betting and bingo on one platform for the Finnish market.
Finland gives you: all chosen forms in one joint application, and the right to combine features of the forms you are licensed for.
You need: to add Finland to an existing EU or international licence portfolio.
Finland gives you: a licence open to foreign operators; outside the EEA you appoint an EEA‑domiciled representative.
Finland is one of the few new regulated online gambling markets in the EU. Applications are already open, so operators who prepare now can be licensed and ready when operation becomes legal on 1 July 2027.
The Act sets 1 July 2027 as the start of licensed operation and marketing, giving every applicant the same clear date to plan towards.
Online casino, slots, bingo and betting sit under one licence type. You choose the forms and can apply for all of them together.
The Act does not require a Finnish company. An operator without EEA residence or establishment appoints a representative domiciled in the EEA.
Strict player protection and AML supervision by the Finnish Supervisory Agency make a Finnish licence a strong credential with banks and partners.
Comparison
Both countries license online casino and betting within the EU, but the two regimes differ in scope, fees and tax. Finland is a newly opened market with strict player protection; Estonia is an established, fully digital licensing system. Neither licence gives the right to offer gambling in other EU countries.
| Factor | Finland | Estonia (ETCB) |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing law | Gambling Act 10/2026 | Gambling Act |
| Products | Casino, slots, bingo, betting | Casino, toto, skill games |
| Licence structure | One licence, forms as chosen | Activity licence + operating permit |
| Licence term | Up to 5 years | Activity licence indefinite |
| Gambling tax | 22% of gaming margin | 6%, falling to 4% by 2029 |
| State application fee (casino) | €29,000 processing fee | €47,940 |
| Players | Finnish residents only | Per operating permit |
Informational only. State fees and taxes are paid separately to the authorities and are not included in our packages. Contact us for a multi‑market strategy.
Pricing
Three packages for the Finnish market, quoted for your products and set-up. Gold covers the licence application, Platinum adds the compliance framework the authority reviews, and Custom prepares the whole market entry.
Gold
Strategy, forms and the complete gambling licence application with fit and proper documentation, prepared and filed with the authority.
Price on request
Platinum
The application plus the AML, responsible gambling and marketing frameworks the authority reviews, prepared and filed together.
Price on request
Custom
Everything in Platinum, plus certification coordination, an EEA representative or business ID set-up, and ongoing compliance.
Price on request
* Prices on request, quoted for your products and set-up. Prices exclude VAT. State fees and taxes are not included: the application processing fee (€29,000 per application under the current fee decree), the annual supervision fee set by gross gaming revenue (from €4,000 a year; €10,000 base fee in the first year), the 22% lottery tax, and the fees of the inspection body that certifies your gaming system. Contact us for a detailed offer.
Process
Step 1
We review your products, players and structure, choose the gambling forms to apply for, and plan the timeline to the 1 July 2027 opening.
Step 2
We prepare the application in Finnish or Swedish, the fit and proper evidence, and the AML and responsible gambling frameworks.
Step 3
We file the application, which must be signed physically or with an advanced electronic signature, and pay the processing fee.
Step 4
We coordinate the inspection body report on your gaming system and set up reporting, tax registration and ongoing compliance.
Requirements
The Gambling Act (10/2026) sets the licence conditions and the operating rules, and the AML Act applies to licence holders from 1 July 2027. The authority assesses the people behind the operator, its finances and how it will protect players.
Applicant and people
Player protection
Marketing and technical
AML and tax
FAQ
Licensed operators can start offering gambling and marketing on 1 July 2027, when the Gambling Act takes full effect. Licence applications have been accepted since 1 March 2026, so operators can be licensed before the market opens.
The licence can cover fixed-odds betting, pool betting, virtual betting, online casino games, online bingo and online slot games, as you apply for them. Lotteries, draw games and land-based slot machines and casinos stay under exclusive licences.
No. There is one licence type, and you choose the forms you want. You can apply for all of them in one joint application or in separate applications; each separate application has its own processing fee.
The Police Board handles applications until 30 June 2027. From 1 July 2027 the Finnish Supervisory Agency (Lupa- ja valvontavirasto) is the licensing and supervisory authority, including for AML. How operators staff the AML role: compliance officer for Finnish gambling operators.
No. The Act does not require a Finnish company, but an operator without residence or establishment in the EEA must appoint a representative domiciled in the EEA. A Finnish business ID is needed for the lottery tax. If you prefer a local entity, see company formation in Finland.
Up to 5 years. If you apply for renewal at least 6 months before the licence expires, you may continue operating until the renewal is decided.
The application processing fee is €29,000 per application under the current fee decree. Licence holders then pay an annual supervision fee based on gross gaming revenue, from €4,000 to €434,000 a year, with a €10,000 base fee in the first year. Our packages are in the pricing section.
Licensed gambling offered in Finland is subject to the lottery tax of 22% of the gaming margin, meaning stakes less winnings paid, from 1 July 2027. The operator calculates, reports and pays the tax itself.
No. Online games under a Finnish licence are only for players permanently resident in Finland, and the operator must check residence regularly. Gambling offered from Finland to players in other states needs those states’ own licences.
Identified play only, players aged 18+, mandatory daily and monthly deposit limits, a central self-exclusion register, moderate bonuses with at most 5× wagering, separation of player funds and a duty of care with automated monitoring of player behaviour.
Gaming systems and random number generation must be in Finland, unless your home regulator has a supervision agreement with the Finnish authority or you let the authority verify your systems remotely. An approved inspection body must certify the systems before you go live.
Yes, a separate game software licence for B2B suppliers. Applications open on 1 July 2027, and from 1 July 2028 licensed operators may only use software from licensed suppliers.
Contact
Tell us about your products and markets, and receive a tailored proposal with the steps and a budget for your Finnish licence.
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