Swedish horse racing operator ATG has filed a formal complaint with Finland’s Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA), accusing Veikkaus of abusing its dominant position to gain an unfair edge in Finland’s soon-to-be liberalised gambling market.
ATG claims Veikkaus, currently a monopoly operator, is leveraging its position to secure a competitive advantage ahead of the 2027 market opening. A key point in the complaint is Veikkaus’ decision to gradually stop offering bets on Swedish horse races to Finnish players, a move ATG says has already started. ATG’s Finland Director, Mikael Bäcke, adds that Veikkaus has also ceased sharing Finnish racing data and video with ATG, which blocks Swedish bettors from placing wagers on Finnish races.
According to Bäcke, these steps distort fair competition before the market even opens. He also raised concerns about Veikkaus’ large player base, estimated at 2.6 million, which the operator could use for cross-selling in its upcoming licensed iGaming offering, giving it a major head start over private competitors.
ATG’s complaint to the FCCA covers five main issues, including the end of its long-standing partnership with Veikkaus. Bäcke stated publicly that Veikkaus intends to discontinue all betting on Swedish races in Finland.
In response, Veikkaus confirmed that it received a request for clarification from the FCCA and plans to respond within the designated timeframe. However, the company strongly rejected ATG’s accusations, calling them “completely false” and denying any abuse of power.
This regulatory dispute comes as Finland prepares to open its online gambling market in 2027. Betting on trotting and horse racing, previously under Veikkaus’ exclusive control, will be available to private operators under the new system.
ATG, meanwhile, is preparing for entry. In April, it announced a joint venture with the Finnish equestrian body Suomen Hippos to launch a new platform offering sports betting, horse racing, and iGaming. The new venture, named “Hippos ATG,” appointed Mikael Bäcke as its CEO in June.
