Wildz Group receives first online gambling licence for Finland's new market
The Malta-based operator is the first to publicly confirm it has secured a licence ahead of the market's liberalisation in July 2027.
Wildz Group has become the first operator to publicly announce it has received a licence to offer online gambling in Finland when its market opens in July 2027.
The Malta-based online operator, which runs several casino brands in various markets, said it was proud to have been granted the first 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," a spokesperson for the group said.
The National Police Board, which is overseeing the licensing application process, has not yet publicly confirmed Wildz’s or any other licence application outcomes.
READ MORE: Stake secures Alberta licence to enter Canada's regulated iGaming market
READ MORE: UK Gambling Industry Hits £17.5bn GGY in 2025-26 as Online Dominates, Land-Based Declines
It is unclear if or when the body might release a list of successful licensees, or if decisions have been made on any other licences.
The licensing application window opened in March this year and processing time was expected to take six months.
A total of 75 licence applications had been submitted as of 22 September, far exceeding initial expectations.
There is no limit on the number of operators that can apply for a licence, although applications required payment of a €29,000 processing fee.
Numerous major operators have publicly expressed interest in obtaining a license, including Finland’s current monopoly operator Veikkaus.
Market analysts have previously said that despite the popularity of gambling in Finland, the market risks being oversaturated if most applications are successful, given the Nordic country’s small population.
Finland is in the process of overhauling its gambling regulatory regime.
Online gambling currently operates under a state-owned monopoly but a liberalisation process will see the market open to private operators in July 2027.
Finland is one of the last European countries to axe its state-owned monopoly system in favour of a liberalised model, following Sweden’s full liberalisation in 2019.
"We look forward to working closely with the Finnish regulator to achieve the highest possible level of channelisation, ensuring that the new licensing regime is a success and delivers on its objectives," the Wildz Group spokesperson said.
Lasse Rantala, a Wildz Group board member, said on LinkedIn that the licence would take effect on 1 July 2027, thanking his team and saying preparation was continuing ahead of the much anticipated market launch.