SkillOnNet secures a Finnish gambling licence before the 2027 market launch

SkillOnNet has secured a Finnish gambling licence ahead of the country’s planned market opening on 1 July 2027. The approval places the online gaming group among the operators preparing to enter Finland’s newly regulated gambling sector, marking another step in its expansion across regulated markets.

The licence was granted by the National Police Board of Finland, which is responsible for processing applications during the transition to the new regulatory framework. Although the approval represents an important milestone for SkillOnNet, the company must wait until the new system takes effect before launching gambling services under the Finnish licence.

The development comes as Finland prepares to change the structure of its gambling industry. The reform will introduce competition in selected online gambling segments previously covered by the state-owned operator Veikkaus, creating opportunities for approved private companies to establish a regulated presence in the country.

Finland prepares for a new gambling market

Finland’s gambling reform represents one of the most significant changes to its established gambling system in decades. Under the existing framework, Veikkaus holds exclusive rights over gambling activities across a range of product categories. The new legislation will open selected segments to licensed competition while retaining exclusive arrangements for other forms of gambling.

From 1 July 2027, approved operators will be able to offer eligible betting and online casino products under the new licensing system. The changes are intended to expand the availability of locally regulated services while maintaining regulatory oversight and safeguards for consumers.

The opening will not eliminate Veikkaus’s role across the entire industry. The state-owned company is expected to retain exclusive rights over lottery-type games, scratch cards and physical slot machines and casino games. The reform therefore creates a mixed system in which competing operators and exclusive licence holders will operate under different regulatory arrangements.

For international businesses, the revised framework offers a clearer legal route into Finland’s online gambling market. However, entry will depend on receiving the appropriate authorisation and meeting the requirements established by Finnish law.

SkillOnNet joins the approved operators

SkillOnNet’s licence provides a foundation for its planned Finnish market entry. The company operates an international online gaming business with experience across regulated jurisdictions and a portfolio of casino brands, including PlayOJO.

Its approach to expansion places regulatory approval at the centre of market-entry planning. For operators entering a new jurisdiction, a licence establishes the legal basis for providing specified gambling services, subject to the terms of the authorisation and the relevant legislation.

The Finnish process has attracted substantial interest from international businesses. By 26 October 2026, the National Police Board had received 79 gambling licence applications and 12 licences had been granted, according to figures reported from the regulator. Skill On Net Ltd was among the approved applicants.

The progress of the application process illustrates the level of interest in Finland’s planned transition. Nevertheless, an approval does not mean that every applicant will launch at the same time or offer identical products. Each operator must prepare for the requirements applicable to its proposed activities.

For SkillOnNet, the licence creates an opportunity to plan its entry into a Nordic market that is moving towards a more competitive online gambling framework. The commercial outcome will depend on its eventual product offering, operating arrangements and compliance with Finnish requirements.

Management highlights Finland’s potential

Maor Nutkevitch, head of corporate development at SkillOnNet, highlighted the opportunities associated with the country's regulatory changes and the importance of creating a sustainable operating environment.

“Finland represents a fantastic opportunity, with a strong digital culture and a clear commitment to creating a safe, competitive and sustainable online gaming environment.

“We’re delighted to be among the early operators to receive approval and we look forward to bringing our experience, innovative gaming products and player-first approach to Finnish customers when the market opens next July.”

The comments reflect SkillOnNet’s stated intention to use its international experience as it prepares for the Finnish launch. They also emphasise the importance of player protection and responsible operations as new companies enter the market.

Finland's established digital infrastructure may offer opportunities for operators with experience in online services. However, market potential alone does not guarantee commercial success. Operators will need to understand local requirements, establish appropriate customer support arrangements and ensure their products meet the conditions of the Finnish licensing regime.

Regulatory requirements will remain central

The introduction of a competitive licensing system does not remove the need for strict oversight. Instead, the reform establishes a framework under which eligible operators must demonstrate that they meet the relevant legal and regulatory standards.

The National Police Board handles applications during 2026 and remains the responsible authority until the end of June 2027. From 1 July 2027, licensing and supervision are scheduled to transfer to Finland’s new supervisory authority.

The regulatory framework is designed to protect consumers, prevent criminal activity and address the social and health-related harms associated with gambling. Operators entering the market will therefore need to align their activities with Finnish rules rather than assume that authorisation in another jurisdiction automatically permits them to operate in Finland.

Player protection will be an important consideration as the market develops. Clear information, appropriate age controls and access to responsible gambling tools form part of the broader challenge facing licensed operators. The specific obligations applicable to each service will depend on the legislation and the conditions imposed by the relevant authority.

For SkillOnNet, preparation for launch will consequently involve more than making casino products available. The company will need to ensure that its planned operations comply with the applicable Finnish requirements and that its market entry proceeds within the permitted timeframe.

What the approval means for SkillOnNet

The Finnish gambling licence represents a meaningful step in SkillOnNet’s international expansion strategy. It gives the group an approved route towards entering a market that is preparing to introduce licensed competition in selected online gambling categories.

The approval may also strengthen the company’s position as it evaluates opportunities in Northern Europe. Its experience with regulated gaming operations and established brands could provide a foundation for adapting its services to local requirements. However, the precise brands, products and operating arrangements that will be available in Finland remain matters for the company’s launch planning and the applicable regulatory conditions.

The wider market transition will require careful execution by both regulators and operators. Licensing decisions must be followed by appropriate supervision while companies prepare their systems and customer-facing services for the new framework.

Finland's gambling reform is therefore not simply a change in market access. It also establishes expectations for how licensed businesses should operate within a system designed to combine competition with consumer protection.

Conclusion

SkillOnNet’s Finnish gambling licence marks an important development for the company as Finland prepares to open selected parts of its gambling industry to regulated competition. The approval provides a legal foundation for its planned entry, while the 1 July 2027 start date establishes the timetable for launching services under the new framework.

The next stage will be defined by implementation. SkillOnNet must prepare its Finnish operations within the applicable rules, while regulators will oversee the transition from the existing system to the new licensing structure. The outcome will depend on how effectively the market balances commercial opportunity with legal compliance and responsible gambling practices.

For the industry, the reform creates a new chapter in Finland’s online gambling landscape. For SkillOnNet, the licence is a significant step towards participating in that market, but its long-term importance will ultimately depend on how the company turns regulatory approval into a compliant and sustainable operation.

FAQs

What gambling licence has SkillOnNet secured?
SkillOnNet, through Skill On Net Ltd, has received a Finnish gambling licence allowing the company to prepare to enter the country's regulated online gambling market when the new framework takes effect.

When will Finland's regulated gambling market open?
The new system is scheduled to take effect on 1 July 2027. Operators holding the relevant licences can begin offering permitted services from that date, subject to the applicable requirements.

Which authority granted SkillOnNet's Finnish gambling licence?
The National Police Board of Finland granted the licence as part of the country's transitional licensing process.

Can SkillOnNet begin offering online casino services in Finland immediately?
No. The approval does not permit the company to launch services under the new system before the legislation takes effect on 1 July 2027.

Why is Finland changing its gambling system?
The reform introduces competition in selected gambling sectors while retaining exclusive licensing arrangements for other categories. It is also intended to maintain supervision, protect consumers and address gambling-related harm.

What role will Veikkaus have after the reform?
Veikkaus will continue to operate in categories covered by its exclusive rights, including lottery-type games, scratch cards and physical slot machines and casino games. Selected online gambling products will become available to approved competitors.

How many Finnish gambling licence applications had been received by October 2026?
By 26 October 2026, the National Police Board had received 79 applications and 12 licences had been granted, according to reported figures from the regulator.

Is PlayOJO guaranteed to launch in Finland?
No. Although PlayOJO is among the brands associated with SkillOnNet, the company's licence alone does not establish which brands or products will be launched in Finland. Those details depend on its operating plans and the applicable regulatory conditions.

What requirements must licensed operators meet in Finland?
Operators must meet the relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including standards concerning eligibility, lawful operations and consumer protection. Their obligations will depend on the products offered and the conditions of their licences.

What does the Finnish licence mean for SkillOnNet's expansion?
The approval gives SkillOnNet a regulatory foundation for planned entry into Finland. Its longer-term commercial impact will depend on the company's launch preparations, product offering and ability to operate compliantly in the new market.