Best Betting Sites in Finland

Finland is one of those countries that can set an example for everyone else in the world in handling welfare, education, and healthcare systems. The “land of thousand lakes” actually has over 180,000 of them and is the northernmost point of the European Union. Stemming from a healthy society, Finns have developed a passion for diverse sports. While football is the most popular in terms of player participation, ice hockey and pesäpallo are also top choices.

Sports betting has been a staple with long roots in Finnish history, fueled by a strong economy and a permissive background. The state-owned Veikkaus Oy has a monopoly on online gambling, and locals are typically allowed only to play there. However, the government’s leniency has allowed the best international betting sites Finland has to offer to operate with no issues at all.

Best Finland Betting Sites

Since the gambling environment is lax, you probably expect to find a wealth of the best betting sites in Finland. You got it, as there are many international bookies with top odds, scores of events and great bonuses. So, we list the cream of the crop that rank high in bettors’ preferences.

Gambling in Finland - 5 Things to Know

• 1
  The estimated worth of the Finnish gambling industry sits at €10 billion per year
• 2
  30% of Finns gamble at least once a week
• 3
  There are no plans for international betting sites or casinos to receive a local license
• 4
  There are no legal mechanisms to prevent online gamblers from playing at foreign operators
• 5
  As of 1/1/2022, the new Lottery Act is the official piece of gambling legislation

General info

⏩Population: 5.513.000

⏩Active players: 1.653.900

⏩Currency: EUR

⏩Regulated gambling products: Sports betting, horse racing, casino, poker, lotteries

⏩Operator types: State-run monopoly on online casinos, lotto, sports betting, scratch cards & horse racing / International betting sites operating without a license

⏩Designated authority: Veikkaus

⏩Status: Regulated

Sports Betting in Finland: The Law Framework

The tipping point in betting regulation occurred in 2011, with the Lotteries Act enacted by the Finnish parliament. It stated that only licensed operators can offer land-based or online gambling services, thus giving Veikkaus the total market monopoly.

Despite pressure from the EU, which find that frame very restrictive, the government has not given up the state monopoly. On January 1, 2022, the latest Lottery Act that came into place proved to be even more strict. First, it targets responsible gaming, as identification of players becomes mandatory.

Moreover, Veikkaus has to track data and detect any addiction patterns to intervene. The second significant change is the planned payment blocking to unlicensed websites. While it will be at least until 2023 to see that happening, it could be an important development.

Essential Info for Bettors

The ban on international betting sites in Finland features goes back more than a decade, but it was more for typical reasons. Finns have had unrestricted access to offshore sportsbooks with no repercussions. In particular, ice hockey bookmakers with international backgrounds are popular among locals.

Locals did not need a VPN service as internet providers did not block any IPs. And offshore bookies took advantage of that as they have established a solid member base in the country. An extra perk is that taxes on winnings are zero, even if you bet on non-licensed betting companies in Finland.

Officially the only condition is that your sportsbook should be based in a European Economic Area (EEA) country. Nevertheless, if you win a high amount, like €100.000, you might want to check with your accountant.

How to Deposit at Online Bookies

The first step before placing your wagers on your favourite bookmaker is topping up your account. Finnish players have the privilege of choosing from many domestic payment options offered by the vast majority of bookies.

Starting with ‘’classic’’ methods, credit & debit cards from Visa, and Mastercard and wallets like Skrill, Neteller & Paysafecard are highly popular. Cryptocurrencies have also gained massive traction among bettors due to the speed and privacy they offer.

In addition, you can pick from a local banking option like Zimpler and Trustly. Nordea gambling sites make up a major share of these transactions. Alternatively, bookmakers using Euteller have been gaining popularity on a wider European scale. 

The Future of Sports Betting in Finland

Finns have enjoyed some of the looser restrictions in place until recently. Despite the state-owned Veikkaus Oy having total dominance over the gambling market; they could freely bet on the international bookmakers Finland offered. However, the recent amendment of the gambling legislation aims to stop payments to unregulated sportsbooks.

Will that be implemented so that it can affect you? It is hard to say now, as the EU might try to push it back beyond 2023 when the deadline is. Even if that provision is enacted, there will likely be a grace period. As things stand now, you have no reason to stop playing on your favourite unlicensed betting company Finland offers.

Gambling Regulations in Nearby Countries

⏩ Norway: maintains exclusive control over casinos, sports gambling, and horse racing, prohibiting all foreign bookmakers. Nonetheless, locals can readily access unlicensed international brands, which are recognized as the Best Betting Sites in Norway.

⏩ Sweden: has legalized all forms of gambling, subjecting bookmakers to rigorous regulations. To register, individuals must provide a national ID and transact in SEK. As for the content, it is usually offered in Swedish and on a .se domain. Despite these measures, a number of unlicensed Sweden betting sites have emerged, enjoying increasing popularity.