For a country with “only” 5.5 million inhabitants, the gambling industry in Finland (also known as Suomi) is massive. In this Finland betting guide, we’ll cover all you need to know about the best Suomi betting sites, gambling laws in this country, payment methods and tips to help you on your way.
- Is Betting Legal in Finland?
- Choosing a Good Finnish Betting Site
- Best Sites We Recommend for Betting in Finland
- Best Payment Methods for Players in Finland
- Which Sports are Popular To Bet on in Finland?
- Other Country Betting Guides - Click Each Flag To Learn More
- Finland Betting FAQs
- ThePuntersPage Final Say
Is Betting Legal in Finland?
Yes, betting is completely legal in Finland. The gambling industry has been heavily regulated since the end of World War II, with government-controlled betting agency, Veikkaus, currently holding a monopoly over all forms of gambling, including online, within its borders.
This company was set up in 2017 as a merger of three previously existing betting agencies in Finland – Veikkaus, Fintoto and RAY (Finland’s Slot Machine Association). It generates over one billion Euros every year, and revenue is used to the benefit of Finnish society, distributed to beneficiaries in the fields of science, youth work, social welfare, health, sports and culture.
However, the EU views this monopoly as too restrictive on foreign online bookmakers and have repeatedly pressured Finland to discard it, but till now, to no avail. Finnish authorities argue that ending the monopoly will have a negative impact on several organisations which depend on the funds they receive through Veikkaus.
The good news is that players are not prohibited from registering and using offshore bookmakers. Finland has not adopted a gambling licence system, and therefore does not issue out licences to private operators. What this means is that many offshore betting sites, like bet365 provider, Betfair, LeoVegas and other online betting promotions are free to accept Finnish players, and cannot be blocked by the Finnish authorities. However, they cannot be advertised in the country.
Betting in Finland: What's Good to Know
- You have to be at least 18 years of age to bet in Finland.
- Players are not prohibited from using offshore bookies.
- Gamblers are not required to pay any taxes on their winnings.
- The official currency in Finland is the Euro (€).
- The preferred Finnish odds format is decimal.
Choosing a Good Finnish Betting Site
Since foreign operators aren’t banned from offering their services, Finnish players have a vast pool of top bookmakers to choose from. So what factors should you consider while betting from abroad in Suomi?
Security
Players should never worry about the fairness of the bookie they’re wagering with, but unfortunately, there have been many cases which forced them to. While the online gambling world is constantly moving towards a safer, more secure place, you must always tread with caution. This is even truer with offshore betting sites, since the Finnish authorities do not issue out licences and therefore have no control over bookmakers. In the case of a dispute, players will not be protected as they would be by the UKGC in the United Kingdom, for example.
Always ensure a bookmaker is licensed by a reputable organisation. The vast majority we suggest are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, which sets strict rules for operators to abide to. On top of this, do your research and read bookmaker reviews to get a holistic idea about what you can expect.
Welcome Bonus
It’s become common practice for bookies to gift new customers with a juicy welcome bonus when they sign up. These are a great way to boost your bankroll (see matched betting) and should play a key role in your decision to sign up with a bookmaker. Remember: you aren’t limited to signing up with one bookie. The more you register with, the more offers you’ll be able to redeem.
Promotions
The offers shouldn’t end at the welcome bonus. Several bookies will offer consistent promotions for players to take advantage of, such as bet boosts, weekly cash backs and free bets on selected sporting events. It goes without saying, but these sites provide added value to players and can substantially enrich your gambling experience.
Odds
Of course, a betting site is worthless without competitive odds. As fantastic as flashy welcome offers and promotions can be, don’t let these distract you from analysing how good the odds are. In the long term, the difference between a site with great odds and one with poor odds will significantly impact the money you make.
Tip: Use our odds overround calculator to compare bookmaker margins.
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Best Payment Methods for Players in Finland
Every country has its preferred set of payment options, and in Finland, these include a variety of international brands. Visa and Mastercard credit cards and debit cards are two of the best-known online payment methods worldwide, and present users with an easy, efficient route to moving funds to and from their accounts. Due to their international presence, these are offered on most offshore betting sites and are very popular among Finnish punters.
Alternatively, players can make use of Trustly or e-wallets like PayPal, Skrill and NETELLER. These convenient methods allow players to make transactions without obtaining a physical card. They are favoured by many because of the security they provide to punters, since players are saved from having to share any of their credit/debit card details with bookmakers.
It’s important to remember that many bookies will ask you to verify your identity when making your first withdrawal. Documents such as ID cards, passports and utility bills are commonly requested.
Which Sports are Popular To Bet on in Finland?
Finland is a country with a profound love for sports, exemplified by their knack of producing some legendary Formula 1 drivers, ice hockey players, and the occasional football player. The national sport of Finland is Pesäpallo, a fast-moving-bat-and-ball sport that is commonly referred to as the “Finnish baseball”.
The Finnish are also well known for creating some rather odd sports, such as Wife Carrying, Reindeer Racing, Cell Phone Throwing and Hobby Horsing! Bookies have even offered markets on some of these in the past.
Other Country Betting Guides - Click Each Flag To Learn More
Australia
Brazil
Belgium
Canada
Denmark
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Hong Kong
India
Ireland
Italy
Netherlands
Nigeria
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
SA
Ukraine
UK
USA
Finland Betting FAQs
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It’s completely legal to bet in Finland. Government-controlled agency Veikkaus is the only provider that is authorised to offer sports betting, casino games, lottery games and poker in Finland. However, while licences aren’t issued out to offshore bookmakers, players are not prohibited from signing up and using them, meaning gamblers are free to bet with loads of international brands.
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No, gamblers will not be taxed on any of their winnings.
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Like most countries, debit and credit cards are very popular in Finland, as well as Trustly, NETELLER, Skrill and Paypal.
ThePuntersPage Final Say
If you’re someone who loves to bet while travelling, Finland won’t cause you any bother. It’s a country with a huge passion for sports that doesn’t restrict players from signing up with offshore bookies, meaning it’s likely you can just use the same betting accounts you use back in the UK. If you’re a globetrotter with other destinations lined up, be sure to check out our country betting guides to keep yourself informed.
Hey, I'm Matteo, and I'm a writer that lives and breathes sports. The typical weekend for me revolves around (falsely) hoping Manchester United will make it back to the top, ruining my Fantasy Premier League team, and getting off my lazy butt for a run.
