Finland Betting Sites
- Finland Top Betting Sites
- Finland Betting Sites Free
- Finland Betting Sites
- Finland Betting Sites Online
- Finland Betting Sites 2020
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Finland Top Betting Sites
Finland is one of the most friendly EU countries regarding sports betting. If you are a huge sports fan who also won’t miss a chance to make a profit on your passion for sports, then welcome to this magnificent and beautiful country. Finns are well-known for their love of classic sports, as well as for originally Nordic sports, like ice hockey and skiing. The Finnish players became innovators in establishing their own sport culture and introducing their national sports, like Pesapallo and Ringette, to the global community. At the same time, the local punters adore all globally beloved sports, including football, tennis, and horse racing.
Unlike some other European countries, the Finnish government has a super loyal approach to online sports betting and all forms of gambling. The lawmakers from the European Union Commission even addressed the Finland authorities asking them to tighten the regulations on online betting in the area. We need to remind that not all European punters can enjoy the same freedom in sports betting laws as the Finnish players. Despite the EC’s request, Finland refused to tighten the gambling industry inside its borders, making sports betting more accessible to the country residents. Still, there are certain rules and regulations considering the operation of the Finnish betting sites, which we are going to discuss in the next chapter.
Sports betting in Finland: policy and regulations
Is online gambling and betting legal in Finland? This is a No.1 question that worries the Finnish punters. Sports bettors from Finland can jump for joy because Yes – gambling and betting in Finland are legitimate on the federal level. According to the Lotteries Act, introduced in 2011, bookmakers and gambling operators can lead their activities in this Northern Europe country totally legal. Moreover, international bookmakers also love the Finnish gambling market due to the absence of draconian restrictions and sky-high taxes compared to other EU countries.
The Finland authorities deserve thumbs up in this matter as their liberal attitude towards online gambling results in a huge economic growth. Besides, many large casinos in the country also make their contribution to the economic development by supporting different charities. Thus, casinos boost their reputation, and social organizations receive additional profit. Both parties win here!
Finland has its state-owned organization, Veikkaus Oy, that runs a monopoly on the online betting and gambling sectors in the vicinity. Over the last decade, the Finnish sports betting market has expanded a lot, following a great arrival of new bookmakers. Many international online sportsbooks started providing their gambling products and services to the Finnish players along with the domestic bookmakers. Thus, local punters have a vast selection of sportsbook brands at any taste. While the betting sites in Finland are obliged to pay taxes to the government, casual players can enjoy all benefits of online betting free-of-tax. Customers do not need to pay a fee on the winnings from bets, even if they hit the jackpot. Awesome policy for all high rollers who prefer to play on real money and win big!
Choosing the best betting sites in Finland
When searching for online bookies in Finland, it is fundamental to pick up a sportsbook platform among the white label providers. Sports wagering is a tricky thing, and not to get lost among hundreds of the gambling operators, it is important to follow this guide:
- Pick up reliable and licensed betting sites with all rights reserved.
- Monitor the bookies’ promotions and vibrant offers for new customers.
- Compare the odds on alternative sports betting sites.
- Check the diversity of sports market and gambling services.
- Make sure that live streaming is available.
- See what payment methods a betting site offers.
- Test a mobile version and work of the customer support team.
These are important aspects that we recommend the Finnish players to pay heed to when picking up online betting sites. Another integral thing that defines the best Finland betting sites from competitors is flawless registration. There are several key points you need to know when signing up on the betting sites in Finland.
How to sign up on the Finland betting sites
When you already pick up a bookie at your preference, you can now sign up to get your sports betting bonuses, which most of the operators offer for newcomers. Registration on the betting sites can be a piece of cake for the Finnish players if they follow this simple protocol:
- Go to a website and fill in your contact details in the Sign-up window.
- Provide your valid email address to get a confirmation link.
- Follow the link in the email to pass verification.
- Create your account on the bookie’s site.
- Make the first deposit via the available payment methods.
- Get your welcome bonus or free bets.
Alternative option
New users can sign up on the Finland betting sites without a necessity to create accounts. Skeptics may hesitate about the security of this method, but we can assure you that it is fully safe. Gamblers who decide to skip the account creation stage can simply provide their bank account ID to log in to a platform. It is much faster solution for bettors as they don’t need to pass email verification, plus withdrawals take only 20 minutes via bank transfers. A bookmaker will not disturb you for any additional confirmation. Besides, all transactions between the online bookmakers and a bank are totally safe as they are protected by an SSL encryption.
Popular betting markets in Finland
Finns adore sports, probably even more than any other nation. The Finland sports sector is one of the most prosperous in the country due to the Finns’ admiration of all winter sports, in particular ice-hockey. Thus, the best betting operators always tend to include the most beloved Nordic sports to their content portfolios. On the other hand, the Finnish players absolutely adore traditional sports, for example, the lion’s share of the local punters are devoted football fans. The Finnish market is also full of the original sports that are especially beloved among all Finns.
Pesapallo
Pesapallo is a prototype of the traditional baseball that we all are familiar with. Unlike baseball, Pesapallo has a bit softer rules for players. For example, participants are allowed to pitch the ball vertically, which makes it more easier to control the power and direction of the ball.
Ringette
Ringette is one of the favorite winter games among Finns. It is traditionally played on the ice field, though there is also an option to hold the game indoors, for example, in the gym. To some extent, Ringette resembles a classic hockey. The major difference is that in Ringette, any physical contact between players on the ice rink is strictly forbidden.
Molkky
Molkky is one of the funniest and popular throwing games among the Finnish folk. It dates back to 1996. The game is played with a wooden pin. Despite an overall delusion that Molkky is a male game, it is of high demand among females too, as it does not require much physical effort.
Ranking of the best Finnish bookmakers
As mentioned before, Finland is one of the most loyal EU countries considering online gambling. Hence, it explains an impressive selection of the betting and gambling sites in the Nordic region. Among the most beloved bookies of the local bettors are Betway, Speedy Bet, LVBet, Comeon, Guts,BetSafe, and bet365. These sportsbooks with T&Cs apply offer competitive odds, robust welcome bonuses, and diverse payment options to their customers.
Betway
Betway offers amazing opportunities for in-play betting for such popular kinds of sports as football, volleyball, and horse racing. The operator delivers about 1,000 live streams daily, in addition to diverse non-sports betting features. The bookie offers a 100% welcome bonus on the first deposit with 1/2 min odds.
Speedy Bet
Bettors love Speedy Bet for its lightning registration process (no-account registration option is available) and flawless withdrawals. The operator has a rich collection of winter sports for the Finnish gamblers. A cash-out option allows punters to place risk-free bets. Moreover, the bookmaker regularly presents its loyal customers with free bets and cash back bounties.
LVBet
LVBet is a relatively new Malta-licensed betting site with T&Cs apply. The bookie offers a lavish sign-up bonus for newcomers and can boast of its rich markets collection. Users will evaluate a splendid offer of casino games in the Casino sector on the operator’s website. Gamblers can play their favorite slot machines and receive free spins for their gambling activity.
Comeon
If you are looking for a mega generous bookmaker in Finland, welcome to Comeon. This betting operator offers 400% perk upon the first min deposit €40. The absence of non-draconian wagering requirements will help you rollover your bonus money with no effort. The operator presents its loyal audience with free bet offerings upon a bonus code weekly and cash back perks monthly.
Guts
Guts is a dream place for all football fans as the bookmaker offers vibrant betting solutions for its large-scale players. Punters can enjoy pre-match and in-play betting, extra to regular live broadcasts on the sportsbook’s channel. Guts always tends to present its customers with better odds than its competitors. The operator has a rich casino sector with engaging games and slots. Users point out a well-designed website interface, rich deposit methods (e wallets, credit cards), and expert assistance of the help center.
BetSafe
BetSafe is another frontrunner among the Finnish betting operators. Newbies may count on a 100% bonus amount on the €25 min deposit when register on the bookie’s website with T&Cs apply. Among the BetSafe’s key benefits, we can point out great odds and vibrant markets choice compared to alternative companies. In the customer service category, the sportsbook gets 10 out of 10. Loyal customers are regularly rewarded with free bets and free spins in the casino sector.
bet365
When you come to bet365, you can be sure to receive the best user experience. The bookmaker deserves its place in the rankings of the leading betting operators due to its mind-blowing variety of sports markets, regular promotions, good banking methods, and unbeaten odds, in addition to flawless streaming that makes players fall in love with the sportsbook once and for all. The bookie offers a vast assortment of payment options and speedy payouts for all gambling operations. The mobile version and mob application deserve a standing ovation for their top-notch design and superb functionality.
Best eSports betting sites in Finland
eSports has become a mainstream of the recent years, and it explains the fact why online betting operators tend to integrate this option to their channels. eSports competitions are very popular among the Finnish players. Some of them select bookies depending on the diversity of the eSports offerings on their websites. A list of the top gambling operators with the richest assortment of eSports in their collections includes Arcanebet, BetOnline, and Pinnacle.
In addition to eSports, many online sportsbooks tend to diversify their portfolios with non-sports betting alternatives, such as bet on politics, TV shows, awards, weather, or live games. The last ones are highly demanded among the Finnish people as they just can’t resist charming live dealers who lead the gameplay. Besides, live-dealer games give many additional betting options for punters, extra to the lush bonuses and jackpots.
Betting bonuses for Finnish punters
Nothing stimulates the punters’ engagement as much as a promise of getting a valuable bonus. The Finnish bookmakers are aware of this golden role, hence they always try to reward their loyal members with sweet perks. When you bet on real money in Finland, you can count on some betting bonuses, which the local sportsbooks offer to the customers. The most widespread bonus offerings are:
Welcome bonus
As a rule, bookmakers reward new customers with a bonus when they register on the site and make the first deposit. In such a way, operators greet newcomers, hence we get an expression “welcome bonus.” The size of such a deposit bonus differs on various betting platforms. What users should always pay heed to is a wager rate, required to rollover the bonus, and affordable payment methods that the site offers.
Cask back bonus
This type of bonuses is usually presented to regular customers, who bet a lot on the bookie’s platform. The bonus works this way that bettors receive a certain percentage from their winnings per week or per month. Usually, the perk comes in the form of cash to the users’ accounts, thus we have the name of a “cash back bonus.”
Free bets
Free bets are one of the most efficient ways to stimulate the gamblers’ engagement. Traditionally, the Finnish bookmakers reward you with free bets once you deposit some money to your account. The size of a free bet may vary on each particular website, as well as terms and conditions to get the perk.
Affiliate bonus
This bonus type is most popular among very active users, as it gives an excellent opportunity to earn some extra profit. Sportsbooks can reward active customers with affiliate bonuses for several reasons: if you bring friends to the bookie’s website or if you promote the operator’s brand on your social and media channels. In other words, it is a kind of a partnership deal between a player and a bookmaker, when each of the parties get their profits.
Expert opinion
From the ancient times, Finns are well-known for their love of sports. Due to the loyal approach of the Finnish authorities to the gambling and betting industries in the country, the local punters now can evaluate the latest trends in the online sports betting niche. Over the last decade, the betting market in Finland has significantly grown due to the arrival of new bookmakers that lead their activities in the region along with the pioneer operators. Currently, the Finnish gamblers have a superb choice of sportsbooks with vibrant offers from each of them. While picking up a bookie for yourself, we always recommend to pay heed to the provider’s markets selection, odds, and bonus system. If you still hesitate about what betting sites suit you the best, you can check on our latest ranking of the most reliable and trustworthy bookies.
FAQ
Gambling and betting sectors are legal in Finland. These spheres are regulated by the Lotteries Act introduced in 2011. The local authorities have more loyal approach to gambling than lawmakers from the EU commission with their harsh regulations.
Casual punters don't have to pay taxes on their winnings from bets. Taxation is mandatory only for sports betting companies that provide their services in the Nordic region.
There are no limits for users in this matter. They can create accounts on as many betting sites as they want. Though, you should keep in mind that an operator may ban users who have multi accounts on its site.
If you don't want to create an account on the bookie's site, there is a way out. The Finnish operators allow punters to use the site services without accounts if they provide their bank IDs when log in.
Each betting site has its certain advantages compared to alternatives. To find out what betting site is the best purely for you, we suggest you get acquainted with our list that covers all pros and cons of the top Finnish bookmakers.
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The State’s Monopoly on Sports Betting in Finland
With a population of just over 5.5 million, Finland may not have a huge economic output, but based on a per person analysis, it has some of the highest living standards in the world. With plenty of disposable income, it comes as no surprise that Finnish people like to bet, both on a recreational and professional basis, and they are known to have some of the highest turnovers in the world.
Finland Betting Sites Free
Veikkaus, a gaming company owned by the Finnish government, holds a monopoly on gambling in Finland. The company was formed in 2017 following a merger between three previously existing sports betting and gambling agencies: Fintoto, Finland’s Slot Machine Association (RAY), and the original Veikkaus which was founded in 1940.
Although Veikkaus boasts of having over two million loyal customers and generating over one billion euros a year for the local economy, many Finnish bettors prefer to use other European bookmakers.
Foreign Betting Companies Operating in Finland
Finland Betting Sites
Although foreign betting companies cannot offer their services via .fi domains or advertise within the country, there are no legal mechanisms in place to block access or payments to these sites.
As these sports betting sites operate in many countries across Europe and face stiff competition, they offer generous bonuses to attract new customers. You can boost your balance by claiming a deposit bonus, and many sites also roll out the red carpet with free bets. The perks continue long after your first deposit, with sites offering lots of special promotions to encourage you to remain loyal and active.
The best Finnish betting sites also offer highly competitive odds. The state-run Veikkaus may offer odds of 1.60 on an event, but you may get 1.70 at one of our recommended sites.
Many foreign betting sites also cater to Finnish bettors by translating their website and employing Finnish-speaking support agents to ensure you have the best experience possible.
Payment Methods Available at Finnish Betting Sites
Being part of the European Union (EU) and using the euro as their official currency ensures there is a wide range of payment options at sports betting sites in Finland. Some of the most popular payment methods available to Finnish bettors include:
- Paysafecard
- iDebit
- Euteller
- Trustly
The minimum deposit amount is usually somewhere between €5-20 depending on the bookmaker.
Most Popular Sports for Betting in Finland
Most countries are dominated by conventional sports, but a favourite Finnish pastime is one many will not have heard of until recently: pesäpallo. Keep reading to learn all about this bat-and-ball sport and to discover which other sports are popular at the best betting sites in Finland.
Pesäpallo
The sport of pesäpallo is viewed by many as the national sport of Finland, and an increasing number of betting sites are now offering odds on this niche sport. Finnish athlete Lauri Pihkala invented pesäpallo in the 1920s after he had visited a baseball game in the USA. It is like baseball in many regards, as the premise of the game involves hitting a ball and navigating through four bases.
The fundamental difference between pesäpallo and baseball is that the ball is pitched vertically, and the thrower is situated close to the opposite team member trying to strike. Domestically, the top tier of competition is the Superpesis, which comprises 14 teams in the men’s league and 12 in the women’s league. The Pesäpallo World Cup was first played in 1992, and Finland has claimed gold in every single category each tournament – the men’s, women’s and mixed teams.
Ice Hockey
Although football is the most popular sport in Finland in terms of hobbies, it falls behind ice hockey for viewership on TV. While the men’s national team has yet to win gold at the Winter Olympics, they have won two silver and four bronze medals to date. The men’s team is one of the ‘Big Six’ – a term that describes the six most successful national teams in ice hockey.
Liiga, or Finnish Elite League, is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. There have been many changes to the league’s promotion and relegation system over the years. Since the 2016-17 season, 15 teams compete for the title. Teams such as Kärpät, Tappara and HPK have become Finnish Champions in recent years, and the best Finnish betting sites allow you to bet on every fixture.
Football
As the league’s name suggests, national betting agency Veikkaus sponsors the Veikkausliiga, the premier division of Finnish football. The Veikkausliiga comprises 12 teams, including HJK and KuPS, and operates a system of promotion and relegation with the Ykkönen. The best football betting sites offer odds on the Veikkausliiga and Ykkönen, the Finnish Cup, and every other football competition you can think of.
Jari Litmanen is widely considered to be Finland’s greatest football player of all time. The attacking midfielder represented local teams like Reipas, HJK and MyPA before moving to Ajax and winning the Champions League. Litmanen experienced tough seasons at Barcelona and Liverpool before returning to Ajax. He scored 32 goals in 137 appearances for the men’s national team between 1989 and 2010.
Winter Sports
Finnish people also enjoy betting on winter sports. With over 100 ski resorts and the skiing season lasting over 200 days per year, Finland is home to winter sports legends such as Eero Mäntyranta and Juha Mieto. Finnish athletes have won over 160 medals at the Winter Games. Most of these medals have been won in cross country skiing, ski jumping and speed skating events.
You can bet on all your favourite winter sports athletes at our recommended Finnish betting sites. These sites offer highly competitive odds on major events like the Winter Games, Alpine World Ski Championships, and the Winter X Games. Besides the winter sports mentioned above, you can bet on Nordic combined events, freestyle skiing, figure skating, biathlon, snowboarding, curling, and more.
The History of Gambling in Finland
Although gambling had been around in Finland for hundreds of years, it took a step forward in the 1920s when slot machines were imported to the country from Germany. Although this brought much excitement, private enterprises who were operating the slot machines were manipulating them and taking advantage of players. This unscrupulous activity caught the attention of the state, who swiftly decided to only grant licenses for slot machines to charities.
The Formation of RAY
Despite this well-intentioned move, there was pandemonium and just a few years later in 1938, Rahaautomaattiyhdisty (RAY) was set up. RAY served as Finland’s slot machine association and not only did they regulate the slot machines, but they also started manufacturing them. Money was put aside to deal with any adverse social situations that arose out of problem gambling on the machines – evidence of Finland’s socialist character.
While RAY covers the slot machine aspect of gambling, of course, there are other avenues that players can go down to strike a bet. Fintoto was the horse racing pari-mutuel betting organisation. Besides regulating the industry, they repatriate funds into it, funding racehorse welfare and much more.
Veikkaus is the Finnish lottery, which also covers sports betting services. Again, they are essentially a non-profit, reinvesting profits into the arts, culture and sports.
The Role of PAF
In Finland, there are several thousand islands located in the Baltic Sea. They are regulated by another organisation – Play Among Friends (PAF) – bringing all the different organisations on the islands under one jurisdiction. The explosion of the internet and the subsequent rise of online gambling caused some issue between the three regulatory bodies operating on the mainland and the PAF.
Why? Because PAF could now operate on the internet and they started accepting and advertising to customers living on the mainland. As a result, the 2002 Finnish Act on Gaming was introduced to make the murky water a little clearer. The government granted RAY a monopoly over online gambling on the mainland, but they stopped short of making using PAF illegal.
Pressure from the EU
Essentially, the Finnish government runs a monopoly on gambling. Being part of the EU, this didn’t sit well with lawmakers in Brussels, and in 2010, the European Commission made a request for Finland to adjust their regulations to make the gambling industry in the country more of a free market. Despite pressure from the EU, Finland has kept things as they were.
In 2015, Finland’s Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy approved a merger of the three state-owned gambling operators: Veikkaus, Fintoto and Rahaautomaattiyhdisty (RAY). The new Veikkaus began operating at the beginning of 2017 and boasts of generating over one billion euros a year, benefitting Finnish society by distributing revenue to beneficiaries in fields such as sports and science.
The Future of Sports Betting in Finland
Although the gambling monopoly held by the Finnish authorities has been criticised by citizens of the country and the EU, it looks like it is here to stay. The lengths that the government goes to prevent citizens betting abroad are not great; for instance, although foreign firms cannot advertise their websites in the country, there are loopholes which allow them to do so in certain publications.
Foreign bookies are not banned on Finnish computers, and there is no real punishment for betting with a foreign firm. Finland is less strict than its neighbours when it comes to letting citizens bet. Betting with offshore firms is here to stay, and with Finnish people being some of the most avid gamblers on the planet, betting sites around the world will be keen to keep their doors open to the Scandinavians.
FAQs
Yes! Although Finland has a monopoly on all forms of gambling through the state-run Veikkaus, there are no laws in place to prevent Finnish bettors from accessing international sites. Check out our list of the best Finnish betting sites to claim a generous bonus and bet on your favourite sports.
Often referred to as the national sport of Finland, pesäpallo is also popular in other countries like Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. The best online betting sites offer competitive odds on fixtures in the Superpesis and many other leagues across Europe and beyond.
Finland Betting Sites Online
The Finnish Income Tax Act states that gambling winnings are not taxable if the amount stems from a state-run operator (Veikkaus) or a company operating in an EEA (European Economic Area) country.
Pesäpallo is extremely popular in Finland. The best Finnish betting sites offer competitive odds on every fixture in the Superpesis. Football and ice hockey are also popular sports for betting, and winter sports enthusiasts enjoy betting on their favourite athletes in major competitions like the Winter Games.