Finland to Launch Licensing System for Online Casinos and Betting

Big change is coming in Finland’s gambling market. The government plans to open the door to private operators by introducing a new licensing system for online casinos and betting.

At the moment, Veikkaus Oy, the state-owned operator, is the only one allowed to offer these services.

But that’s about to change.

What’s in the new plan?

Here’s a quick overview of what Finland is doing:

• A licensing system is coming — Private companies will be allowed to apply for a licence and offer online casino games and sports betting.
• Veikkaus still keeps some areas — They’ll continue to run lotteries, land-based casinos, slot machines, and totalizator betting.
• A new regulator will be created — This will sit under the Ministry of Finance and will handle licences and rules for operators.
• Player protection will be stronger — Operators must offer deposit limits, self-exclusion tools, and other responsible gambling features.

Why is Finland doing this?

There are two big reasons:

1. To increase competition
2. To protect players better

The government also wants to make sure gambling is better controlled and that money stays within legal and regulated sites, not unlicensed ones.

When will this all happen?

The timeline looks like this:

• Spring 2025 – Parliament is expected to approve the law.
• Early 2026 – Operators can start applying for licences.
• Between July 2026 and January 2027 – New licensed sites can start operating.

So by January 2027, Finland’s new system should be fully live.

What does this mean for affiliates and operators?

It’s a big opportunity.

If you’re an online casino brand or affiliate, you’ll be able to reach Finnish players through a proper, legal channel.

This could bring:

• More traffic
• More players
• More affiliate deals

It’s also a good chance to build trust with players through regulated, responsible platforms.

Final thoughts

Online casino licenses in Finland are coming, and 2027 will be a turning point. Finland is making a clear shift toward a more open online gambling market, and this is one to watch if you’re working in the casino space.

Launching a licensing system allows for more competition, better regulation, and stronger player protection. It opens the door to a whole new market for affiliates and operators.