Wildz Group says it has received Finland’s first online gambling licence ahead of July 1, 2027 launch

Wildz Group says it has completed Finland’s online gambling licensing process, becoming the first operator to publicly say it has secured approval. For PSPs and acquirers watching new regulated high-risk markets, the important bit is that Finland’s opening is now moving from legislation to actual licensed participants.

1. Wildz Group, a Malta-based igaming operator, said on LinkedIn that it had “successfully completed the licensing process” and is continuing preparations for launch in July 2027. Board member Lasse Rantala made the announcement.
2. Finland’s regulated online gambling market is due to open on July 1 2027 under the new Finnish Gambling Act, which will end Veikkaus’ monopoly over online gambling in the country.
3. The licence application process opened on March 1. Last month, the National Police Board said it had received 75 licence applications by September 22, a stronger-than-expected turnout for a country of 5.6 million people.
4. The National Police Board has not yet publicly disclosed the outcome of any applications. It is also unclear whether the regulator will publish a list of approved operators or whether decisions on other applications have already been finalised.
5. Applicants had to pay a €29,000 processing fee, and there was no cap on the number of licences available. Among the operators that said they had applied were Veikkaus and Hippos ATG.

Finland is one of the last European jurisdictions to move from a state monopoly to a liberalised gambling market, following Sweden’s shift to open licensing in 2019. Industry debate around the framework is already visible: some market participants say the cooling-off period and the ban on affiliates could reduce channelisation.