SkillOnNet secures Finnish gambling licence ahead of July 2027 market opening

The approval places SkillOnNet among the first dozen operators confirmed for Finland’s newly competitive online gambling market, which ends the Veikkaus monopoly next summer.

Finland is dismantling the last major online gambling monopoly in the European Union, replacing Veikkaus’ exclusive online rights with a multi-operator licensing regime from 1 July 2027. SkillOnNet announced on 27 October 2026 that its application to the National Police Board had been approved, making it one of 12 operators confirmed so far from a field of 79 applicants.

One of 12 operators approved as Finland’s regulator confirms first licences

SkillOnNet, the Malta-based iGaming group behind PlayOJO, DrückGlück, and Genting Casino, has received a gambling licence from Finland’s National Police Board, positioning it to operate in the country’s newly competitive online market from 1 July 2027.

The approval places SkillOnNet among the first 12 operators to receive a licence under Finland’s new Gambling Act. The National Police Board confirmed the figure on 26 October 2026 in response to an information request, disclosing that it had received 79 applications in total and had rejected none. The 67 remaining applications are still being processed.

Finland’s shift from monopoly to competitive market

Finland’s Gambling Act, passed by parliament on 16 December 2025, ends the exclusive online rights held by state-owned operator Veikkaus for online casino games, sports betting, and online bingo.

From 1 July 2027, private operators who have secured a licence will be permitted to offer those products to Finnish players for the first time. Veikkaus retains exclusive rights over lotteries, scratch cards, and land-based casino games.

The National Police Board has been accepting applications on a rolling basis since 1 March 2026, with no submission deadline and no statutory cap on the number of licences. The application count has risen steadily, from 50 in June to 75 by late September, exceeding the 40 to 60 operators that industry observers had originally forecast.

The Board is the licensing authority until the end of June 2027, at which point a new Finnish Supervisory Agency assumes responsibility for licensing and supervision.

Notably, Veikkaus, which also applied to compete in the liberalised online market, is not among the first 12 approvals.

Nordic expansion and existing regulated footprint

SkillOnNet already holds licences in the UK, Sweden, Spain, Germany, Canada, and Mexico, and joined Sweden’s industry association BOS in March 2025. Finland adds a seventh regulated European market to the group’s portfolio and extends its Nordic presence beyond Sweden.

Maor Nutkevitch, Head of Corporate Development at SkillOnNet, said:

‘Finland represents a significant opportunity, with a strong digital culture and a clear commitment to creating a safe, competitive, and sustainable online gaming environment. We look forward to bringing our experience and gaming products to Finnish customers when the market opens next July.’

About SkillOnNet

SkillOnNet is a Malta-based iGaming platform operator and entertainment group founded in 2005, operating more than 40 branded casino sites across regulated markets worldwide. Its portfolio includes PlayOJO, DrückGlück, BacanaPlay, and Genting Casino, and it holds licences in markets including the UK, Sweden, Spain, Germany, Canada, and Mexico. The company provides both proprietary consumer brands and white-label solutions, with a games library spanning slots, live casino, sports betting, and instant-win content.

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