In Finland, online casino gaming is entirely legal much like offline gaming. Players are welcome to enjoy online casino action at Finland’s state-owned betting sites or a host of international gambling sites without any fear of breaking the law. However, the legal framework in Finland is still complicated. Only the state-backed operators are legally entitled to offer their services, and the country is in a running battle with the EU over its monopoly of the gambling industry.
That government-controlled monopoly has been in operation since before World War II, and betting has always been an incredibly popular pastime in Finland. Estimates suggest that as many as 8 out of 10 Finnish adults have a bet on an occasional basis, and 5 out of 10 do so at least once a week. Profits raised from online gambling in Finland are returned to society in the form of funding, and that might explain why Finns are happy to spend an average of 14 Euros per week in wagers.
Looking for a reputable Finnish online casino site to sign up with? We’ve put together a list of the top online casinos for Finnish players:
When you’re selecting an online casino in Finland, there are a number of factors to consider. Our team of trusted experts takes great care to research all available options and choose only the best online casinos for our recommended list.
Here’s a rundown of the things you should expect from our approved Finland online casino sites:
When it comes to gambling online, Finland’s progressive laws actually make for a rather safe gaming environment. Because the Finnish government allows nearly all forms of gaming, licensed and legal casinos are plentiful in Finland. Our team ensures only legitimate gambling sites with Finish licensing will be listed on our page.
Our top online casinos use world-class encryption tools to protect your information, and transactions are also handled securely.
If you’re looking to play online casino games in Finland, you’ll find a wide variety of titles available at our top sites. Finland online casino sites offer countless slots, table games, live dealer games, and more.
Playing online means flexibility. Play where you want, when you want. We believe the same should be true when it comes to funding your Finland online casino account.
Our sites include a number of trusted and popular payment methods, which will make it easy for you to deposit and withdraw money whenever and wherever. Our selected casinos also provide lucrative welcome bonus offers that will help you kickstart your online gambling experience in Finland.
Finnish gambling sites provide plenty of deposit methods, making it easy to get started with online casino games. The most common payment options include the following:
PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller are three of the most coming online e-wallet services. Most Finland online casino providers will accept at least one of them, if not all three. They make for a seamless and simple payment experience. Just connect your account and deposit funds through the e-wallet service.
Credit and debit cards are a straightforward and widely accepted form of payment. Nearly all of Finland’s online casino gaming sites accept major credit cards. Always be sure to check that your preferred casino accepts your specific card type, though. VISA and Mastercard are commonly accepted.
ACH, wire transfers, and online banking are available at many Finnish online casino sites. You can connect your bank account to your Finland online casino account to make quick deposits.
An ideal option for those who don’t want to use a credit card or bank account, prepaid cards give players the opportunity to pre-purchase a card loaded with funds. You can then use those funds to load your online casino account and start playing.
Though less common than e-wallets, credit cards, and other deposit methods, Google and Apple’s payment services are accepted at certain sites. This is especially beneficial to those who prefer mobile online casino gaming because Google and Apple make payment as simple as a few taps of your device’s screen.
Thanks to the country’s openness to online gambling, Finland gamblers have a wealth of games to choose from when they play online.
Let’s take a closer look at what games are available to you at local casino sites:
Slots make up the vast majority of online casino games globally, and the case is no different at Finland online gambling destinations. Top providers like NetEnt, Microgaming, Yggdrasil, and Scientific Games all offer their slots to Finland online casinos.
Slot games come in all sorts of themes, and there are countless variants that keep the experience fresh. Finland online casino enthusiasts will have no trouble at all finding a slot game to fit their particular taste. High-volatility games for bonus-chasers are plentiful, and popular licenses make their way to the online world for newer players looking to break into slots.
Not to be outshined by the plentiful slot games on offer, table games are widely available at online casinos in Finland, too.
Baccarat, blackjack, poker, roulette, and many other games are playable and for those who enjoy the quirkier side of online gambling, Finland casinos offer countless variants on popular titles.
Live dealer games put a twist on digital casino games. Instead of a virtual dealer, the games are dealt by a real dealer and the computer settles wagers. Live dealer games combine the fun of playing at a land-based casino with the flexibility of online casino gaming. Players in Finland will find plenty of live dealer games on offer and will enjoy chatting with the dealer and other players while betting.
Players in Finland have the opportunity to claim some great bonuses at the country’s online casinos. Bonuses come in many different forms, but there are a few common ones you’ll come across when playing online.
Looking for free spins with no deposit needed? Finland online casinos offer this kind of bonus on a regular basis and make it incredibly easy for you to get started with your gambling journey.
Free spins are simple: you receive a number of spins to use on the casino’s slot titles. You don’t need to make a deposit or spend any money to use the spins. If you’re lucky enough to win using those spins, your account has a nice foundation to build from.
For a no deposit bonus, Finland casino players shouldn’t have to look too far. Sometimes they’re combined with free spins bonuses to give you even more of a kickstart once you sign up to an online casino site. Typically the bonus comes in the form of a small stipend, around €5 or €10. You can use the bonus to bet on any of the online casino’s games.
Deposit match bonuses are typically found in the sports betting world, but some online casinos in Finland have hopped on the bandwagon to offer them to players. They’re very simple: make a deposit, and the site will match that deposit, doubling the amount of money in your account. Usually, this is limited to your first deposit. But some operators offer it on your first two or three deposits. Of course, there’s a maximum amount you can receive via a deposit match.
Finland’s gambling laws and the structure of gaming in the country have barely changed over the years. The government-backed monopoly is split between three main bodies: RAY, Veikkaus Oy, and Fintoto Oy. In 2017, the three bodies merged to become Veikkaus.
In addition, there is a fourth body, PAF, which regulates all forms of gambling on the Finland-governed Aland Islands.
The EU has put increasing pressure on the country’s government to reform Finland’s gaming laws and bring legislation in line with EU laws, but the government has resisted. Much like the Swedish government's policy towards online casinos in Sweden, Finland has said that it intends to maintain its monopoly, and has recently suggested that it will look at new ways to deter foreign operators from entering the market.
The government has also stressed that it will not penalise any Finnish citizens who play at foreign casinos. At the current time, there are no plans to ask ISPs to block foreign websites, nor to ask banks to stop processing transactions.
Legislation so far has been limited to the Gaming Law of 2010, which prevents foreign gaming providers from advertising their services through the Finnish media. Fines and prison sentences are imposable on both media companies and gambling operators if they violate this portion of Finland’s gambling laws.
Traditional slot machines were first brought to Finland from Germany in the 1920s by private companies, but the state had decided by 1933 that only charities would have a licence to operate the machines. By 1938 RAY was set up to act as Finland’s slot machine association, not only to oversee the slot gaming industry, but also to manufacture the machines and provide funding for health and social issues caused as a result.
The advent of Finland online gaming was when issues arose. PAF, the body in control of the Aland Islands was granted a licence to operate an online casino, and has offered casino games, a poker room, bingo and an online sportsbook since 1999. This remained the case for years, and players from the mainland were given access to internet betting, with PAF being the only licensed provider. RAY continuously lobbied against this, and eventually in 2010 the government relented and allowed RAY to expand into online casinos and poker, while Veikkaus Oy and Fintoto Oy were also allowed to offer web-based services.
However, the four state-sponsored bodies remain the only licensed gambling operators in the country, and Finland is keen to keep out foreign-based betting sites.
The Finland online casino industry generates 1.7bn Euros per year, and estimates suggest that players spend approximately 130 million Euros per year with foreign operators. That’s a small figure, but the government are sufficiently worried about large foreign firms to consider changes to the law.
Finland online casino gaming is a lucrative market, and most large gambling companies are keen to earn a slice of the action. The reason Finnish operators are worried about their ‘aggressive marketing techniques’ might be summed up in a statement by Timo Kiiskinen, Senior Vice President of Business Operations at RAY, who said in March 2015:
“It’s clear that often customers will take the best deal when they’re considering gambling, this causes quite a headache for us, and the authorities should look at the issue more closely.”
From a punter’s point of view, we want the best odds and the best deals, so it’s hard to have too much sympathy with those behind the monopoly if players choose to take their money elsewhere.
It appears that it will be increasingly difficult for countries like Finland and Sweden to maintain their grip on the online gambling industry. Although the Finnish government says it is keeping an eye on the situation, it will be difficult to bring in new laws prohibiting foreign operators with such vehement opposition from the EU.
A more tech-savvy population is also exploring the benefits of playing at online casinos based in other countries, and taking advantage of better bonuses, better odds, and better deals. It’s hard to criticize Finland’s policy of returning gambling profits to the state, but ultimately, players will vote with their virtual feet.
Even though the country’s government has a monopoly on operations of online gaming, Finland online casino gaming is a bustling and active industry. The Finnish government makes no effort to crack down on foreign operators despite its desire to keep its monopoly intact.
As a result, Finland online casino enthusiasts can play at a wide variety of sites without issue. Our top recommended online casinos offer huge portfolios of games, bonuses, and flexible deposit methods. You can get started today by joining one of our trusted online casinos in Finland.
Yes. Online casino gambling in Finland is completely legal. The country’s government has a monopoly on online casino sites, but overseas and foreign operators still offer their casino games to players in Finland. Like many of its European counterparts, Finland has embraced online gaming, creating a welcoming landscape for anyone looking to play.
Yes. Finland’s government oversees online gambling and player safety and security is a top priority. Player data is protected by high-level encryption, and multiple secure payment methods are available. Casino games at Finnish gambling sites are also certified for fair play and randomness by independent testing companies like eCOGRA and iTech Labs.
Finland has a huge number of online casinos because the country has laws that allow online casino gaming for players in the country. We have compiled a list of top-quality online casinos for players using our expert review process. We check for game variety, safety and security, payment methods, and much more to ensure the list on this page only includes the best Finnish online casinos.
You’ll find bonuses in all shapes and sizes. Perhaps the most common is free spins, which let you spin the reels a few times on your chosen slot game for free. Other promotions such as deposit match and no deposit bonuses are occasionally available as well. Many Finland casino sites also offer a loyalty scheme that awards you exclusive bonuses the more points you collect while playing games online.
No. While gambling operators have to pay taxes, players do not need to pay taxes on gambling winnings in Finland. The only exception is Lottery winnings, which need to be declared as income. This means that you can keep all the winnings you earn when gambling online at Finnish betting sites.
