Despite the relatively small size of Finland, this country is home to a large and incredibly diverse sports betting market.
This is largely driven by demand, with a recent study revealing that Finland ranks in fourth place for the number of gambling losses per person. Overall, Finns lose a cumulative total of £2.5 billion per annum, with this indicative of just how much the locals spend on betting each year.
In this post, we will understand the legality of sports betting in the country, while taking a look at the very best sports betting sites in Finland!
The Legal Landscape for Sports Betting in Finland
Gambling as a whole has always been a heavily regulated sector in the country, with this operating as a centrally controlled entity since World War II.
While some describe the gambling model in Finland as being a monopoly, however, it is actually more of an ‘oligopoly’. More specifically, control of the marketplace is distributed across three distinct bodies, including RAY (which governs slot machines), Fintoto (which manages the racing sector) and Veikkaus (which is largely dominant and regulates the state lottery).
These entities preside over a total betting market worth around £1.6 billion, with sports betting on horse races established as a key driver of this revenue.
These only agencies offer limited online gameplay, however, through heavily regulated operators like Nopeampi. This platform combines sports betting and live casino games, although there are restrictions placed on maximum wagers and the returns available to players.
Fortunately, Finnish players do retain access to a large number of international operators, especially those based in the EU.
This is due to the fact that the government has been compelled to open up its market to overseas betting brands during the last decade, thanks to a combination of the EU’s stringent rules on trade within the single block and the relative impotency of lawmakers to prosecute players who wager illegally.
So, Finns can continue to wager freely online with some of the world’s leading sports betting brands, without infringing any laws or deal with the restrictions imposed by state-sponsored agencies.
What Sports Can You Bet on in Finland?
While Finland may have experienced a reported spike in coronavirus cases following the country’s exit from Euro 2020, nothing should distract from the national team’s historic achievement in qualifying for the tournament.
The Finns performances in the group stages (including a famous, 1-0 win against Denmark) also triggered a huge surge in football betting, with this one of the most popular sports nationwide.
However, Finland is also home to some truly unusual sports, many of which aren’t widely played outside of the country’s borders.
Take ‘Pesapollo’, for example, which is essentially a Finnish fusion of baseball and rounders and sees a World Cup take place every three years in Finland. Other countries such as Sweden and Germany regularly compete in this tournament too, which is widely watched throughout Scandinavia.
You’ll definitely be able to access some Pesapollo betting markets through online operators like Nopeampi, while international brands are also beginning to offer options on this sport nationwide.
Which are the Best Betting Sites in Finland?
By being able to access a broad range of market-leading and licensed operators from across the globe, Finnish punters can bank on a secure, transparent, and ultimately enjoyable sports betting experience.
One of the biggest names in the marketplace is the William Hill-owned Mr. Green, which is much loved by customers and currently offers a welcome bonus up to the value of £100.
The burgeoning Casumo Sport platform also has a popular following in Finland, while the same can be said for Betsafe, Betition Sport and Comeon (who actually exited the UK market to focus its efforts in Finland, Sweden and similar European markets).
The Swedish-based Betsson is also popular in Finland, with this site currently offering a broad range of betting markets (including Pesapollo options).