Finland’s new Gambling Act introduces a separate licensing layer for companies that supply gaming software. The requirement does not start with the opening of the licensed gambling market on 1 July 2027. Instead, supplying gambling software for use in licensed Finnish gambling services will require a gaming software licence from 1 July 2028.
Applications for the gaming software licence can be submitted to the Finnish Supervisory Agency from the beginning of July 2027. This gives suppliers and operators a one-year transition period to prepare contracts, technical documentation and supplier structures before the software licensing requirement becomes mandatory.
When the software licence becomes mandatory
The new system separates the gambling operator licence from the licence required to supply gaming software. Gambling operators can start licensed operations no earlier than 1 July 2027, provided their licence is in force and the required technical audits and supervisory-system integrations are complete. The separate gaming software licence requirement starts one year later, on 1 July 2028.
Operators applying for a Finnish gambling licence are already asked to identify their known gambling software suppliers. If the supplier list changes later, the operator must notify the supervisory authority in writing within two weeks. This makes supplier governance relevant well before July 2028.
What software suppliers should prepare
Software suppliers planning to serve the Finnish market should map which products, entities and contractual relationships are likely to fall within the licence requirement. They should also prepare for documentation requests concerning ownership, reliability, technical systems and the role of the software in the licensed gambling service.
- Identify the legal entity that will supply software into Finland.
- Map operator customers that plan to hold a Finnish gambling licence.
- Document software products and integrations used by those operators.
- Plan change-management procedures for supplier and product updates.
- Follow guidance issued by the Finnish Supervisory Agency before applications open in July 2027.
Connection with the operator licence
The software licence does not replace the operator’s gambling licence. These are separate regulatory responsibilities. Operators should therefore treat software licensing as part of their broader Finnish compliance architecture, together with technical audits, supervision interfaces, responsible-gambling controls and marketing rules.
See also our guides to the Finland gambling licence application, the Finnish gambling regulator and responsible gambling in Finland.
Market-entry planning
For B2B suppliers, 2027 should be treated as the preparation year. Finnish-language materials, technical documentation, operator communications and local market positioning can be built before the software licensing requirement begins, while consumer-facing gambling marketing must follow the separate rules that apply to licensed operators.
Carnival News supports Finland market-entry work with PR, SEO and content planning, localization and Finland 2027 iGaming market guidance.
Planning your Finland market entry?
Carnival News supports localization, SEO, PR, content and market-entry communications for companies preparing for Finland’s licensed iGaming market. Send us your target, timeline and service need and we can scope a practical proposal.
Finland market-entry services
Carnival News supports Finland market entry through Finland iGaming marketing, Entering Finland, SEO Services Finland, Content Marketing and Localization and Brand Mentions and PR Distribution.
For additional European language markets, see our German-speaking and Swedish-speaking iGaming marketing services.