🎥 Missed the webinar?
Finnplay was proud to organise the SBC Webinar "The Road to Finland Begins! What Operators Need to Know About Entering the Finnish Market" on February 11, 2025. As Finland moves towards a regulated iGaming market, our expert panel provided essential insights into the upcoming licensing process, regulatory landscape, and key considerations for operators looking to enter this exciting new market.
According to Mika Kuismanen, CEO at The Finnish Trade Association for Online Gambling, Rahapeliala Ry, the shift from a monopoly to a licensing system has been driven by market behavior and a low channelisation rate. The Finnish government began this transition two years ago, with strong lobbying efforts helping shape the final law to be more operator-friendly than the initial draft.
The latest update from the legislative process indicates that the EU notification period has been extended to March 4, 2025, due to a detailed opinion from Malta. Despite this, there is a strong likelihood that the law will be passed before the summer break, which should start around midsummer. Operators are expected to be able to apply for licenses from January 1, 2026.
Pekka Ilmivalta, Head of Office at Nordic Legal, highlighted some of the most important legal changes:
One critical concern raised was whether Finland’s regulatory body will have sufficient tools to combat unlicensed operations. While some enforcement measures, such as taxation tools, will be in place, IP blocking and money transfer restrictions were removed from the latest draft.
What Should Operators Be Doing Now?
Jaakko Soininen, Managing Director at Finnplay Technologies Oy, emphasized that while Finland’s regulatory framework is still evolving, operators must act now to prepare for market entry.
By summer 2025, operators should have their core suppliers secured and compliance plans in place to ensure a smooth licensing process by January 2026. The requirements will likely include:
Operators must also consider the B2B licensing requirement from January 2028. Ensuring that key suppliers commit to obtaining a B2B license will be crucial for long-term market stability.
Contact our Commercial Director Brian Forth to explore how Finnplay can support your entry into the Finnish market.
While Finland may not be the easiest jurisdiction to enter, it represents one of the last major European markets to regulate online gambling, making it a highly attractive opportunity for operators.
|
Milestone |
Expected Date |
|
EU Notification Process Ends |
March 4, 2025 |
|
Law Expected to Pass |
Summer 2025 |
|
Operators Can Apply for Licenses |
January 1, 2026 |
|
Market Opening (Earliest) |
July 2026 |
|
Market Opening (Latest) |
January 2027 |
|
B2B License Requirement Starts |
January 1, 2028 |
With Finland’s iGaming market set to open in the next 1–2 years, operators must begin preparations immediately to be among the first to enter. While there are still uncertainties around technical regulations, responsible gambling requirements, and enforcement measures, the opportunities are significant.
At Finnplay, we are ready to support operators with our expertise in highly regulated markets and help navigate the Finnish licensing process.
Stay up to date on the latest news from the Finnish market!