Hippos ATG announced on October 21, 2026, that it has been granted an official gambling license in Finland. The approval secures the company’s right to conduct gambling operations as the nation’s new licensing system officially opens on July 1, 2027.
The enterprise is jointly owned by Swedish operator AB Trav och Galopp (ATG) and the Finnish Hippos Association. As the largest Nordic company focused on horse racing, sports betting, and online casino games, with established operations in Sweden since 1974 and Denmark since 2019, ATG brings extensive regional expertise to the Finnish market.
Mikael Bäcke, CEO of Hippos ATG, commented:
“We have always been confident that we will meet the conditions for the license. A positive decision is the most important prerequisite for entering the market, so this is a significant moment for us. We have worked hard to build a completely new company in Finland and its operating models from the ground up to comply with the requirements of the new Finnish legislation. After this excellent news, we can focus even more strongly on the products themselves and on finalizing the operational entity.”
Comprehensive compliance and product offering
The newly acquired license covers horse racing and sports betting products, alongside online casino games mirroring ATG’s established Swedish and Danish portfolios. Securing authorization required extensive preparation beyond standard administrative paperwork.
Bäcke added:
“The license application is not just about filling out a form. The preparation has included building operating models related to, among other things, responsible gaming, anti-money laundering, information security, technical compliance, internal control, risk management and corporate governance.”
Building a sustainable gambling industry
Finland’s new licensing framework is structured to bring the nation’s gambling sector under robust regulation and supervision. Hippos ATG intends to participate actively as a reliable partner, combining Swedish commercial expertise with the equestrian knowledge of the Finnish Hippos Association.
Bäcke noted:
“With the license, ATG is the largest gambling operator in the Nordic countries and the market leader in horse racing betting in Sweden and Denmark. We want to be involved in developing the gaming industry and thereby also support the conditions for Finnish sports and horse racing.”
A core long-term objective for Hippos ATG is generating sustainable economic value for the Finnish horse industry, ensuring that a significant portion of future returns directly benefits local trotting sports.
