Best Betting Sites in Finland

Where to bet safely in Finland and which online bookmakers to join?

Look at the top betting site for Finnish players outlined below and choose the brand that you find the most reliable. Examine and compare their welcome bonuses and see why they are the leading bookmakers in Finland.

Best Bookies in Finland Ranked

1. Mr.Play – Best betting site in Finland
2. Pinnacle – Top odds for Finland
3. 22bet – Wide range of markets
4. SvenPlay – Fast deposits and withdrawals
5. ComeOn – Top bonuses for Finnish bettors

Finland’s TOP bookmakers

Seeing that Finland is fertile grounds for offshore betting companies, there are very many such online casinos and bookies accessible to Finnish players. When there is much variety on offer, you might end up getting confused when picking the best betting sites in Finland. In this section, we have highlighted some of the highly recommended online casinos and sports bookies that you can play at while in Finland.

MrPlay

Finnish players who decide to play at MrPlay will enjoy a fantastic variety of sports betting markets. Football, darts, MMA, and Cricket are just some of the available sports they can wager on. Bettors have access to a bet builder, cash out, and playboost features that can help them make the most of every wager.

The website design is user-friendly, so even mobile punters can easily find a desired sport or a bonus.

Pinnacle

Of course, we must include this reputable brand in our list of best betting sites in Finland. It goes without saying that Pinnacle is a must if you are on the lookout for quality and professionalism. This brand offers some of the best odds in the business with competitive payout percentages. Plus, even without flashy bonuses and promotions, Pinnacle has captured the attention of punters not only in Finland, but all over the world.

22bet

To any avid gamer around the world, 22bet is a very familiar name. This is because 22bet is arguably one of the largest betting companies in operation currently. The company has mainly been a leader in the betting arena. In addition to their sportsbook, 22bet also runs a regular sportsbook and an online casino, giving you a complete lineup of online gaming and betting products to choose from. What’s more, 22bet is also available via mobile through their downloadable mobile apps for both android and iOS devices. With such a reputable brand, you could never go wrong.

SvenPlay

Svenplay is a popular casino and sportsbook, and it comes as no surprise that it made it to the list of the best bookies in Finland. Svenplay Sportsbook offers 50+ sports, but it does not take long before you realize that football, tennis, and e-sports are its major focus. Boosted odds, live streaming, and bonuses for new and existing bettors are some of the reasons why you might want to consider playing at Sven Play.

ComeOn

ComeOn’s sportsbook might not be as extensive as Mr. Play’s, but still, there are plenty of sports to wager on. Finnish players can bet on soccer, ice hockey, snooker, rugby, MMA, etc. In terms of deposits and withdrawals, ComeOn provides the flexibility Finnish players are used to, as they can open an account or make a deposit as a guest using Trustly.

What to consider when choosing a Betting Site in Finland?

With the shortlist provided above, we have introduced you to some of the top bookmakers Finland can access. You might be wondering how we arrived at such a list of best-betting sites in Finland. This is done by filtering the thousands of sites based on the features they have to offer. To make it easier for players in Finland also to choose a good betting site, we have compiled a list of crucial factors that you ought to consider. With these tips, you can be assured to steer clear of rogue sports bookies and end up playing only at the best gambling sites in Finland.

• Is this site licensed?
  One thing you might have noticed with the bookies we have reviewed above is that none of them holds a license from the Finnish government. This is because the government does not issue any such licenses to online betting companies, but this does not mean that such bookies are not regulated in any way. In such a case, you ought to check the offshore licensing authority behind the bookie. This has to be an organization with a global reputation for upholding quality. Some trustworthy licenses include that from the UK Gambling Commission.
• Does the site offer any bonuses? What are the terms of using such bonuses?
  In addition to offering betting markets, a site should also give you a taste of their freebies in the form of bonuses. The bonuses come tied to some terms and conditions, so take note of these rules to avoid getting tied up with a bonus that can’t help you much.
• What do other Finnish players say about the site?
  Another way of evaluating a gambling site is by their reputation. In this case, it is advisable you filter the customer reviews and focus on those done by other Finnish players. This will give you a realistic picture of how they perform in the Finnish market.
• What languages are available on the site?
  Most sites will be available in English by default. For players in Finland, you would want a website that also supports Finnish and Swedish. The customer support services also have to be multilingual to make it more comfortable for you to communicate with them in case you need assistance.
• How easy is it to access and use the bookie?
  Ease of access cuts across from how the site loads all through to the layout and user-interface. Also, it is much better if the site has mobile gaming options since this makes it easier for you to access the betting markets even on the go.

Betting in Finland – Trivia

• Currency: Euro
• Population: 5,518,371
• Active Players: Approximately 3,000,000
• Designated Authority: Ministry of Interior through the National Police
• Regulated Gambling Products: Sports betting shops, land-based casinos, online gambling platforms, lotteries, online casinos
• Types of Operators: Veikkaus, foreign-based online gambling platforms, Paf which operates in the autonomous Åland Islands

Did you know that…?

• Despite gambling not being illegalized, still, no international betting firms are licensed by the Finnish Government
• For a long time, the age limit for playing at slot machines was 15 year. This was, however, changed in 2010 and the age limit for gambling is now 18 years
• Slots are the most popular type of casino gaming in Finland
• More than 75% of adults in Finland have participated in gambling, but active players are estimated to be between 55% and 60% of the population

Gambling in Finland

Finland has for years risen as a model economy not only for the European region but also globally. The state’s welfare system has ensured strict control on various aspects of Finnish life. To a larger extent, this has worked very well for the welfare of common Finnish citizens. When it comes to gambling and betting activities, the government takes the same approach by exerting considerable controls on the market. However, unlike many other European countries, the Finnish government’s attitude towards gambling is not one of abolishment but rather having a controlled market.

As a gambling site operator or anyone who wishes to set up shop in Finland, such regulations are viewed as prohibitive. But such government controls help ensure gambling does not turn out to be a runaway problem, considering the high risk of addictions. So for any players in Finland, they will have somewhat limited exposure to gambling products.

Is gambling in Finland legal?

This brings us to the all-important question on the legality of gambling. All forms of gambling are legal in Finland. Having said that, it is essential to bear in mind that for one to operate any gambling hall or site in Finland, you need to get authorization and a license from the government. This is where things get interesting. Since the Act on Lotteries came into force, it technically made the Finnish gambling market a government monopoly. This piece of law implied that only one operator could get licensed at any one time. This left Veikkaus, which is a government-run gambling company, as the sole player in this highly lucrative market.

Gambling falls under the National Police, which has the authority to control, arrest and even prosecute any illegal operators. Such an environment has allowed the government-run Veikkaus to flourish, at the expense of other operators who might want to join in.

So what do these laws imply regarding online gambling? The law on gambling makes it illegal for anyone based in the country to offer unlicensed betting and gambling services. This basically leaves a loophole that has been exploited by other foreign-based operators. As a player in Finland, you will be at liberty to register and play at any of the offshore betting sites, without any legal repercussions.

Do Finnish Players get restricted by some bookmakers? Why?

The Finnish market has proven attractive to many big brands in the online gambling and betting industry. For this reason, you seldom find a site that prohibits players from Finland. In most cases, the only restriction comes in the form of language barriers where you find the site is not accessible in neither Swedish nor Finnish. Also, there are still a handful of sites which might consider the government’s stand as hostile. To avoid getting into legal tussles, such sites will make their products inaccessible to players with Finnish IP address. This is not such a common problem, as most betting sites operate freely in Finland.

How much tax do you pay on gambling winnings in Finland?

The laws regarding the taxation of gambling winnings in Finland can be slightly confusing to many players. In this section, we will attempt to explain these laws in the simplest way possible and clarify the grey areas that might exist. The basic premise of the Finnish taxation laws in regards to cash prizes is that there will be no tax charged if the money is paid out based on chance. As such, any form of gambling, which involves winning through randomized outcomes, is exempted from tax. This includes any casino games and lotteries.

On the other hand, if it can be determined that the money was won systematically, or as a form of payment for work done or skills used, then it will be liable for taxation. This includes competitions such as quizzes or games offered by employers to their staff.

While players get a general reprieve on taxation of gambling winnings, casino and lottery operators are faced with a mandatory tax on their revenues. The amount charged will depend on the type of gambling products being offered by the said operator. Usually, this starts at about 8.5% going upwards.

So in a nutshell, online casino players in Finland will not be required to pay any tax on their casino winnings. It is also worth noting that the Finnish Act of Taxation applies to any gambling winnings won either within the country or even within the EEA region.

About the gambling market

The Finnish gambling market is estimated to be worth upwards of 3 billion Euro. This might come as a surprise figure for a country where gambling is heavily regulated and runs as a virtual government monopoly. Veikkaus is a crucial player in this industry, operating about 16 casinos country-wide. These are located in major cities around Finland. Seeing an increased interest in online gaming, Veikkaus has also tapped into this sector by developing their online gaming platform. It was recently reported that Veikkaus was seeking partnerships with key industry players such as NetEnt to include their products in their gaming catalogue.

But Veikkaus has been facing steep competition in the online sector from other more prominent brands. Seeing that no licenses are being offered by the Finnish government to new operators, this competition comes from sites based in other offshore territories. Malta, in particular, is home to many of these sites that operate in the Finland gambling market. Other areas that host such foreign companies include Gibraltar, Isle of Man and the Antilles. This entry of offshore operators has brought much life into the industry, pushing up the competition. This, as always, works out to the benefit of the players who will have more products to choose from.

Another key player in this Finnish market worth mentioning is Paf. This is a company that has been licensed by the government to offer gambling products in Åland Islands, which is an autonomous region of Finland. According to the license issued to Paf, they can operate in the Åland Islands as well as host competitions in the surrounding seas. They are, however, prohibited from administering nor marketing in mainland Finland.

The most popular betting features and options in Finland

When it comes to the types of betting products offered, the Finnish gambling market is in tandem with the latest trends. As such, you should expect to find the newest betting features trending in this market as well. However, the most popular betting products that players in Finland go after include;

• Live Streaming
  Live streaming of matches is one of the most sought after features in online gambling sites. If a company can offer these live streams on their mobile apps as well, then it earns them more players.
• In-play betting
  Live betting as changed how people perceive sports betting. The idea that you can join in the betting markets and back your team even after the match has kicked off is nothing but attractive to the most ardent of sports betting fans. Nearly all bookies operating in Finland will have this feature included.
• ACCA betting
  ACCA betting, also known as accumulators, entails adding multiple bets into a single bet slip. What makes ACCA betting attractive is the resultant high odds one gets by combining all the events into the same bet slip, which way higher than placing a single bet.
• Build-a-Bet feature
  This is a feature similar to ACCA betting. The difference here is that you will be at liberty to play around with various betting markets. Once you are done building your ACCA bet from a single event, the system will give the total odds attributable then you can place the bet.

Available bonuses for Finnish Players

A common factor in highly competitive gambling markets is that the bonuses and promos offered are equally high. This is the case with the Finland gambling market. Whether you are a new player or an experienced regular, you will not fail to find some freebies to capitalize on. Usually, the welcome bonuses for new players tend to give higher amounts of free cash. You can also be on the lookout for reloading deposit bonuses, which match the amount you reload to your casino gaming or sportsbook account. Another type of bonus you ought to go after is the loyalty scheme. Often dubbed VIP program, this type of bonus yields free cash based on your gaming activity. Generally, there are plenty of betting sites with bonuses that Finland players can play.

The favourite sports of the Finnish bettors

Finland is a country with great interest in sports. The most popular sports here include Pesapallo, which is regarded as a national sport. But when it comes to the betting numbers, most players bet on football, ice hockey, and motorsport, especially Formula 1. A few other markets that receive considerable traffic include bandy and horse racing. Winter sports such as skiing are equally popular in the Finnish gambling market.

Are Online Casinos popular on the market?

Despite the government running what can be termed as a monopoly on the gambling market, the online casino industry has continued to thrive. Casino gaming is seen as a favourite pastime for many in the country. It is estimated that as of 2018, nearly 50% of the country’s adults had played some form of online casino game in their lifetime. Such numbers can also be attributed to the fact that land-based casinos are not as common as they would be in other European countries of similar economic standards.

The popularity of specific casino games follows global trends. As such, you will find that slots are the most preferred type of casino game. Lotteries also get their fair share of traffic, with annual revenues running into hundreds of millions.

Currency and Preferred Payment Methods in Finland

The main currency used in Finland is the Euro. It, therefore, follows that any casino operator targeting the Finnish market has to accept deposits and process payments in Euros. Another alternative would be getting an online casino that accepts payments in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoins. Such cryptocurrency casinos offer more flexibility in terms of transactions.

If you opt to play using the fiat currency, you can use credit cards, debit cards, online banking platforms, or even e-wallets to fund your account. Some of the most common modes of payment available for Finnish players include Paypal, Skrill, Neteller, Poli, Sepa, Visa and MasterCard.

Bookies with mobile apps for Finnish customers

With online gaming on the upward trend in Finland, traffic from mobile devices contribute the most players. This comes as little surprise in a country where more than 82% of the population are active smartphone users. As such, most of the casino operators and bookies available in Finland will have a mobile betting option in the form of mobile apps. Big brands such as 22bet, which we mentioned above, all have some very stable mobile apps. These mobile betting apps are designed in two formats for both Android OS and iOS.

Final Comment

The Finnish gambling market can be considered to be entirely free, despite the government denying any further licensing to foreign operators. The betting and gambling laws in the country have created room for the penetration of foreign-based operators, giving Finnish players the much-needed variety in the market. Recently, there have been talks of including laws that block Finnish traffic from accessing such foreign sites. According to some quarters, these are laws set to come into form sometime in 2020. Whether this will come to pass remains to be seen. In the meantime, Finnish players can continue enjoying the variety that these offshore betting sites have to offer.

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