Wildz Group first to receive licence for Finland's opening online gambling market
The Malta-based operator will be able to offer services when the market opens to private companies in July 2027.
Wildz Group has announced it has received a licence to operate online gambling services in Finland when the market opens to private operators on July 1, 2027. The Malta-based company is the first operator to publicly disclose it has secured a local licence. Finland is overhauling its gambling regulatory regime, moving away from a state-owned monopoly system. The licensing application window opened in March, with a total of 75 applications submitted as of late September.
A spokesperson for the group said it was proud to have been granted the first online gambling licence for the new market. "Being the first operator to receive a gambling licence in Finland is a fantastic milestone for Wildz Group and a well-deserved reward for the hard work and dedication of our entire team throughout the application process," the spokesperson told iGB. The group said it looks forward to working with the Finnish regulator to ensure the new licensing regime is a success. The National Police Board, which is overseeing the licensing process, has not yet publicly confirmed Wildz's licence or any other application outcomes. It is unclear if or when the body might release a list of successful licensees. There is no limit on the number of operators that can apply for a licence, although applications required payment of a 29,000 euro processing fee.
Numerous major operators have expressed interest in obtaining a licence, including Finland's current monopoly operator Veikkaus. Market analysts have previously warned that despite the popularity of gambling in Finland, the market risks being oversaturated if most applications are successful, given the country's small population. Finland is one of the last European countries to move away from a state-owned monopoly system. Lasse Rantala, a Wildz Group board member, said on LinkedIn that the licence would take effect on July 1, 2027, thanking his team and saying preparation was continuing ahead of the market launch.