Dates that affect the project
| Milestone | Date or period |
|---|---|
| Operator applications opened | March 1, 2026 |
| Licensed operations may begin | July 1, 2027 |
| Gambling-software license applications open | July 1, 2027 |
| Requirement to use licensed gambling-software suppliers takes effect | July 1, 2028 |
The Police guidance distinguishes the operator and software phases. A supplier's future application cannot be treated as a license it already holds. Official overview.
Application fee, language and processing
For 2026, the National Police Board states a €29,000 processing fee for each gambling or exclusive-license application, regardless of the outcome. Applications are in Finnish or Swedish. Its current processing target is six to eight months, with longer processing possible, particularly for incomplete applications. Licenses under the Gambling Act.
The target is not a promise to approve an application or meet a commercial launch date. Build time for preparation, translations, responses and technical work before deciding when the project can be ready.
Turn the application into a readiness plan
Start with the applicant, products and player-account model. Map the current requirements for identification, player protection, payments, marketing, game assessment and reporting to the proposed configuration. Assign responsibility for evidence and any external assessment.
Use a register that separates a legal requirement from a product feature and its test. For example, describing an account restriction is different from showing where the system enforces it and what happens when two sessions attempt an action at once.
Review supplier contracts across both launch and the later software-licensing milestone. Identify which component each supplier provides, its applicable status and what happens if that dependency is not ready when required.
Budget beyond the application payment
Include professional preparation, translation, assessments, technology, operating staff and the period before permitted activity. Current supervision charges and taxes need their own applicable sources and calculation bases; the application fee is not the complete regulatory budget.
Discuss Finland readiness with your entity, application status, product and supplier list. SuperBluOrange can scope technology and preparation work against those requirements. The proposal should state which professional handles the application and what remains dependent on authority or third-party decisions.
Use the Finland market-entry guide for the commercial launch decision, or compare licensing routes for a different operating jurisdiction.
Sources reviewed: October 17, 2026.