Finnish MP Sinuhe Wallinheimo has raised concerns about the readiness of the country’s new gambling regulator ahead of the planned market opening on 1 July 2027. Speaking to iGaming Business at SiGMA Rome, the National Coalition Party lawmaker said the authority had not yet been fully established and that recruitment was still under way.
Responsibilities will shift at launch
Regulatory responsibility is due to move from the National Police Board to a new unit within the Finnish Supervisory Agency. The unit will oversee the liberalised online market and other gambling activity, and will take over licence processing. B2C applications remain open, while the B2B supplier licensing window is scheduled to open on 1 July 2027.
What market entrants should monitor
The concern is about administrative capacity and timing, not a change to the announced launch date. Operators, suppliers and affiliates planning Finland entry should monitor regulator staffing, application guidance and transition arrangements closely. A delayed or under-resourced licensing process could affect onboarding and commercial launch planning even if the statutory timetable remains unchanged.