Finland is one of the Scandinavian countries with a long history of gambling. Today, this country offers many opportunities for passionate gamblers, as Finns are the largest betting nation in Europe, the gambling industry in Finland is well developed, and Finns consider gambling one of their favorite pastimes.
The country’s strict gambling regulations have made life difficult for local physical casinos, but have paved the way for online gambling. So it’s no surprise that there are several suitable options for online gambling. Since not all online gambling sites are available to Finnish players, there are good online gambling options that protect Finns.
Here we will talk more about online gambling options for Finnish players and the vital aspects that Finns should know when taking part in online gambling.
Top 5 best online casinos in Finland
- 22Bet Casino;
- N1 Casino;
- National Casino;
- Casumo Casino;
- Tonybet Casino.
Finnish gambling laws and regulations
Finland first put gambling under the regulatory act of the 1920s. Since then the country has worked to keep the gambling industry legal, as gambling is something that Finns genuinely enjoy. The country brought massive legislation in 1965, legalizing and regulating slot machines, casinos, lotteries and bingo, classifying them all as forms of lottery.
A major overhaul of the gambling law was passed in 2002. when the country took a monopoly on the gambling industry and forbade international gambling establishments to open land-based casinos in Finland.
The state also created governing bodies to regulate and sanction the gambling industry in Finland. These were RAY (Finnish Gaming Association), Veikkaus Oy (Finland’s National Betting Agency) and PAF (Provincial Control of Åland).
However, in 2019 and 2020, the law underwent another change, separating online and land-based gambling establishments. With the amendments to the Lotteries Act 1047/2001, the controls merged into a single agency named Weikkaus. According to the new law, Finnish players can use any online casino as long as the casino is not affiliated with Finland or does not advertise it.
The good news is that as long as the online casino does not try to open a land-based branch in Finland, it will be available to Finnish players. This means Finnish players can play on any online gaming platform that accepts players from Finland…
Finnish players do not have to pay taxes on their winnings, but all licensed Finnish gambling operators have to pay 8.5% income tax.
Is online casinos legal in Finland?
Thus, online gambling in Finland is legal as long as the online gambling platform has no land-based operations in Finland. In addition, Finland does not levy any taxes on gambling or gambling winnings.
How to choose the best casino site in Finland
When choosing the top online casinos Finland, here are the key things a casino should have and you need to know about it:
High reputation
Always look for online gambling platforms with a strong reputation. Just in case, make sure there are no major scandals with the gambling platform, and check their SSL certificate and encryption settings.
Welcome offers with fair terms and conditions
The site should have a good welcome offer for new players. Since all online gambling platforms have a welcome offer, make sure that the fair terms you choose are clearly explained and reasonable.
Bonuses for loyal customers
Finns are big fans of online gambling and spend a lot of money on this pastime. When choosing an online gambling platform in Finland, you should look for one that provides bonuses and promotions for its regular players.
Types of Games
The types of games provided by an online gambling platform are a major deciding factor, and when it comes to Finnish players, slots are the preferred choice.
Software providers
Different online gambling platforms offer games from different developers, but not all have the same reputation. Look for sites that provide games from world-renowned gaming software developers, as it reflects the quality of the games provided.
Supported devices
When choosing an online gambling platform in Finland, accessibility has to be considered, because Finns love to gamble, and mobile accessibility is a vital characteristic.
Accessible payment methods
Internet gambling requires you to deposit real money, so Finnish players should look for online gambling platforms that provide safe and secure payment methods.
Customer Service
A great online casino should have quality customer service. Players from Finland should look for an online gaming platform with friendly, knowledgeable and professional customer service.
How to gamble online in Finland
Online gambling is relatively easy, so here are the steps you need to take to play at Finnish online casinos:
Choose an online gambling platform that caters to Finnish players
- Create a profile and log in to your account;
- Choose a welcome offer and deposit funds;
- Choose your favorite game and start playing.
Most popular online casino games in Finland
Finns love to gamble, as evidenced by the fact that the average Finn spends about $15 a week on gambling. However, not all games are equally liked by Finnish gamblers. Here are the most popular games among Finnish residents.
Slot machines
Slots are by far the favorite gambling games of Finnish players. Finns’ love of slot machines probably stems from the fact that the first gambling games to appear in Finland were slot machines. Now video slots rule online casinos, and Finns can choose from thousands of slot machines on offer.
Blackjack
Blackjack is a fairly popular gambling game in Finland, which is gaining in popularity thanks to the widespread online gambling platforms. European blackjack, classic blackjack and single deck blackjack are the most popular varieties of blackjack among Finns.
Roulette
Online roulette is also quite popular in Finland, and people here often choose French roulette, European roulette or American roulette.
Live dealer games
Live dealer games create a feeling closer to a real casino, and these games are becoming increasingly popular in Finland. Many online casinos have a great offering of live games, and Finnish players are taking advantage of most of them.
Bonuses, free spins and promotions at online casino sites in Finland
Online gambling platforms have some sort of welcome bonus for new players, and the online gambling websites available in Finland are no exception. Here are the most common bonus offers for Finnish players:
No Deposit Bonuses
Finns love to pursue promotions, and the no deposit bonus is among the favorite promotional offers that some online gambling platforms provide. The no deposit bonus requires the player to create an account and will be credited with a certain amount that they can use to test the site’s features. However, a no deposit bonus usually comes with wagering requirements and additional conditions.
Free Spins
With slot machines being the favorite choice of Finns, it makes sense that they love free spins. Any online casino that provides free spins bonuses in its welcome offer or regularly provides free spins as a reward to loyal customers has a better chance of attracting Finnish players.
Payout rates at Finnish online casinos
Payout rates also play a crucial role when choosing an online casino in any country. When it comes to players from Finland, payout rates are just as important, and all the best online casinos available to Finnish players have high profit players.
Nevertheless, we must emphasize that when choosing, it is vital to look for payouts for the games you prefer to play because they are important to you. Total casino payout rates are calculated as an average of all casino games, so it makes sense to check the payouts for the game you choose.
Payment methods on Finnish casino sites
When choosing an online gambling provider in Finland, checking their Payment options is crucial, as it’s not always about games, but deposit and withdrawal are equally important, All online casinos available in Finland have payment methods such as credit and debit cards, PayPal, bank transfers, e-wallets, cryptocurrencies, etc.
All bets on Finnish players are made in euros, so Finns should look for payment methods in that currency so they don’t have to pay conversion fees. Nevertheless, the best of them are online gambling platforms that meet the needs and payment habits of Finnish players, as they differ from the payment habits of players from other countries.
For example, Finns prefer to use e-wallets to other payment methods.s However, we should note that not all bonus offers are suitable for every payment method. Here is a summary of the most popular payment methods preferred by Finnish players:
Electronic Wallets
Finns love to gamble, and they prefer to use e-wallets to fund their online gambling accounts. Most online casinos that accept Finnish players provide deposits and withdrawals from e-wallets such as Euteller, Zimpler and Trustly.
- Euteller is a secure and confidential payment method, and it is the #1 payment service preferred by people in Finland. This method is a direct banking provider that allows quick deposits and withdrawals, and it supports euros, which is great for Finnish players, is acceptable and convenient.
- Zimpler is another payment method preferred by Finns. It is a combination of a mobile payment system and an e-wallet, allowing for safe and secure transactions. The service also offers the innovative ZimplerGo e-wallet, which makes it easy for Finnish players to deposit and withdraw money.
- Trustly is the payment method of choice for Finns, as many online gambling platforms widely accept this service. It makes things easier as it works just like a bank transfer, but much faster and more convenient.
Mobile Payments
A lot of Finnish players prefer to use Siru Mobile, a deposit system based on mobile accounts. Although it is not very common, there are a large number of online casino providers that accept deposits made through Siru Mobile.
Credit and Debit Cards
Credit and debit cards are accepted on all online gambling platforms. and Finnish players are free to use them as viable deposit and withdrawal methods. However, as noted above, Finnish players usually prefer to use Zimpler, Euteller and other bank e-wallet options.
Bank Transfer
Bank transfers are also common at almost all online casinos. Players from Finland can use bank transfers to deposit and withdraw money from their online casino accounts.
Cryptocurrency
The rise in popularity of cryptocurrency has changed the payment methods accepted by online gambling platforms. Finnish casino players are now able to make deposits and withdrawals using cryptocurrencies.
What is the best payment method for Finnish players?
Finnish casino players have many convenient ways to make deposits and withdrawals such as credit and debit cards, bank transfers, cryptocurrencies, etc. However, players from Finland prefer to use Euteller, Zimpler and Trustly, as these are the most common e-wallet payments accepted by most retailers and online services in Finland.
Pros of legal online casinos in Finland
When it comes to the legality of online casinos in Finland, things are not as clearly delineated as in some other countries. However, as long as the online gambling platform has no connections with land-based Finnish casinos and does not advertise its services to Finns, it is perfectly legal for Finns to join and enjoy the gaming offerings of such a platform. These are the main perks you need to be aware of when thinking about choosing a legal online gambling platform in Finland.
Bonuses, promotions and loyalty programs
Legal online casinos in Finland can and often do provide generous bonuses, deposit matches, seasonal promotions and most popular loyalty programs. They are attractive and often include tempting amounts that Finnish players can take advantage of.
Simplicity and Convenience
Ease of use and convenience are crucial when choosing an online casino platform. Finnish players should look for platforms that preferably support Suomi (Finnish language) and are easy to navigate and use.
Variety of options
We said that slot machines are the favorite gambling game of Finnish players, but that does not mean that some people prefer poker, blackjack, roulette and other games. When choosing a legal online gambling platform in Finland, you have to consider the variety of options the platform offers.
Strict rules
Finland has strict regulations regarding casinos and gambling. online casinos that provide their services to Finnish players must have valid licenses from reputable gambling commissions. Platforms must also have proper SSL encryption, transparent terms and conditions, and must have independently tested random number generators.
Customer Service
As with any people-oriented company, customer service is crucial for an online casino. Finnish players should only join legitimate online gambling platforms with impeccable customer service. If a problem arises, customer service agents are the people you can rely on to solve your problems.
