Finland sets gambling licence fees ahead of market liberalisation

Summary

Finland’s Ministry of the Interior has amended its 2026 decree on service charges to align with the new Gambling Act and set licence fees as the country prepares to liberalise parts of its gambling market. Applications for exclusive licences and standard gambling licences can be submitted to the National Police Board from the start of March 2026.

Each licence will carry a fee of €29,000, with a separate fee of €1,120 for alterations to exclusive or gambling licences. The €1,120 fee also applies to authorisations for international cooperation for existing licence holders. The decree takes effect on 1 March 2026 and remains valid until 31 December 2026, coinciding with the initial licensing phase before market liberalisation.

The National Police Board will act as the interim licensing authority and will provide further procedural guidance. Licensed operators may not offer or market services until the new Gambling Act comes into force on 1 July 2027, when regulatory responsibility moves to the Finnish Supervisory Agency.

Key Points

Licence fee for each exclusive or gambling licence: €29,000.
Fee for licence alterations and international cooperation authorisations: €1,120.
Applications accepted by the National Police Board from early March 2026.
Decree effective 1 March 2026 and valid until 31 December 2026 (initial licensing phase).
Operators cannot market or commence operations until the Gambling Act takes effect on 1 July 2027.
Veikkaus Oy keeps exclusive rights to lottery-type games, scratch cards and land-based slots/casino games.
Regulatory and supervisory duties transfer from the National Police Board to the Finnish Supervisory Agency on 1 July 2027.

Why should I read this?

Quick heads up: if you’re an operator, supplier, investor or advisor eyeing Finland, this is the practical timeline and cost checklist. Applications open March 2026, but you won’t be able to go live until July 2027 — so get your paperwork and compliance plans in order now.

Context and relevance

The move ends parts of Finland’s long-standing monopoly (Veikkaus) for online betting and casino games and brings the country closer to other regulated European markets. For the industry it creates new market access opportunities, while keeping state control over lottery-type products. The staged handover of licensing and supervision reflects a cautious, managed transition to a competitive market.

Author style

Punchy: This is a big structural change for Nordic iGaming. The government has set the price of admission and the timetable — if you want a slice of the Finnish market, this is where you start. Read the detail and act early; first movers who nail compliance and timing stand to benefit.