Online Casinos in Finland in 2025 July
Regulated under the Lotteries Act, online casinos in Finland are subject to a state monopoly, with Veikkaus Oy being the only licensed provider of gambling services. Offshore operators face stringent restrictions, but big changes lie ahead. Read our expert overview of the market to see all the upcoming changes in Finland’s gambling legislation.
Essential Information About Online Gambling in Finland
Finland's Casino Gaming is Regulated by the Lotteries Act
At the moment of writing, casino gaming in Finland is regulated by the Lotteries Act of 2001. Through it, Veikkaus Oy has a monopoly over gambling activities in Finland, with the National Police Board being the body that enforces the laws and ensures compliance.
In 2023, Finland Introduced Payment Blocks to Offshore Gambling Sites Deemed Illegal by the National Police Board
The said legislation does not have an effective way to restrict or regulate offshore gambling. So, in 2023, a so-called “Payment Blocks in Gambling” came into force. Its aim is to restrict access to offshore gaming sites. These blocks will restrict payments from players to certain operators that the National Police Board has deemed in violation of the Lotteries Act.
In Spring 2025, the Finnish Government Submitted a Bill to End the Online Casino Monopoly by 2026
In spring 2025, the Finnish government submitted a new bill that would end the aforementioned monopoly on online casino games by the end of 2026. By opening the gambling market, the country follows in the footsteps of fellow Nordic peers Denmark and Sweden.
The New Law Seeks to Stop Revenue Outflow, Protect Consumers, and Regulate Finland's Online Gambling Market
The reasons behind the new legislation are clear. According to data by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority, half of the money Finnish players spend on online casino gaming goes to offshore operators licensed by the likes of Malta Gaming Authority, Curacao, Anjouan, and so on. Therefore, the reforms are expected to curb the outflow of gambling revenue to foreign operators, enhance consumer protection, and enable more effective regulation of the digital gambling market within Finland’s jurisdiction.
Timeline of Finland's Gambling History
Finland’s gambling history has remained relatively stable over the past century, with a few key developments that warrant mention in this context:
- 1920s: The Finnish state legalised money lotteries and horse racing.
- 1938: Finland’s Slot Machine Association (RAY) was founded.
- 1966: Penningautomatforening (PAF) was established. It covered gambling activities in Åland.
- 2001: Finland’s government introduced the Lotteries Act, which regulates gambling activities in the country.
- 2010: The National Police Board is formed.
- 2017: Veikkaus, RAY and Fintoto completed the merger and formed a corporation called Veikkaus, which runs the state monopoly on online gambling in Finland.
- 2022: A new reform on the Lotteries Act provided the National Police Board with more resources to combat illegal gambling.
- 2023: Payment blocking came into force for unlicensed offshore casinos.
- 2025: A new gambling legislation proposal was submitted to the Finnish Parliament on 13 March 2025, which is expected to be enforced in 2026.
Finland's Regulatory Reform: What It Means for Operators and Players
There are quite a few changes that are predicted with the new gambling regulation in Finland. For you to better understand what lies ahead in terms of online casinos for players from Finland and what the industry will look like, here are a few key pieces of information.
Key Dates
The new gambling law is expected to pass in summer 2025, with B2C licensing starting in early 2026. With this dynamic, licensed operators will be permitted to enter the market in early 2027. B2B licensing is also expected to launch in 2028, which means that even game providers will need to obtain licences.
End of the Online Gambling Monopoly
Under the new proposed legislation, segments such as online slots, casino games and online betting services will be opened to offshore operators that obtain a licence. Veikkaus will still retain its monopoly over lottery, scratchcards, and land-based slots.
A New Regulatory Body
A new regulatory body is being established. The Licensing and Supervisory Authority will replace the National Police Board. The legal gambling age in the country will remain 18, and players will need to verify their identity before they play casino games.
Marketing Restrictions
Gambling advertising will be subject to strict limitations. For example, companies won’t be able to target minors or vulnerable individuals. Influencer marketing will not be permitted either, with casinos being allowed to promote their brands through their own websites and social media channels.
How to Find and Play at the Best Online Casinos for Finnish Players
Since a large portion of offshore casinos or VPN-friendly online casinos accept players from Finland, it may be difficult for you to choose the right one for your next gambling venture. To help you narrow down your choice, here are a few important factors to consider.
Choose From Our List of Casinos
The online gambling market in Finland is not yet liberalised, so to make sure you gamble at safe sites, you can always select one of our trusted brands on this site. We only recommend trustworthy casinos which are properly licensed.
Compare Payment Methods & Limits
See the available options you have to top up your account, withdraw and check whether they match your preferences. Don’t forget to check the transaction limits too, both for deposits and withdrawals from your account.
Check Bonus Terms
You can expect bonuses at all our suggested casinos, but to know whether they suit your gambling habits, you must understand their T&Cs. Check wagering requirements, minimum deposit and duration, among other rules.
Verify Mobile Compatibility
See how responsive the website is on your mobile device and whether there are special mobile bonuses to claim. If you constantly play on the go, we suggest you prioritise mobile-compatible online casinos that have developed native apps.
Evaluating the Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Gambling at Finnish
Besides several obvious advantages such as great game and bonus variety, international online casinos that accept players from Finland also come with a few downsides, as seen below.
Most Popular Bonuses Players Can Claim at Online Casinos in Finland
To reward new and existing players, casinos that accept players from Finland can offer an array of advantageous online casino bonuses and promotions, which usually fall under one of the following categories.
Welcome Bonus for New Players
This is a special offer designed for newly registered players from Finland who have just made their first deposit. An example of the online casino welcome bonus could go as follows: a €20 deposit can unlock a 200% deposit bonus of up to €500 and 100 free spins on certain slots.
Reload Bonus for Account Top-Ups
Quite similar to a welcome bonus, with the only difference being that it is crafted for existing players who have already made one or several deposits. Usually offered at a lower percentage compared to the welcome bonus, reload bonuses at online casinos providing returning players with a percentage match on deposited funds.
Free Spins for Online Slots
In addition to being offered as part of the welcome bonus, online casino free spins can also come as a freestanding promotion. This is usually a weekly or daily offer that requires players to make a certain qualifying deposit to get bonus spins on eligible slot games. Winnings are subject to wagering requirements, like with all bonuses.
Cashback
Losses on a certain category of games can be subject to cashback in some casinos. Through these offers, the casino will allow you to recoup some of the incurred losses. For players who are in the higher levels of a casino’s VIP program, cashback casino bonus percentages might be higher.
Loyalty Programs
As a reward for your continuous loyalty and deposits, the casino will enrol you in a loyalty scheme. There, as you climb through the loyalty ladder at exclusive VIP casinos online, you can expect numerous perks coming your way, including personalised promotions.
Our Criteria for Selecting the Best Online Casinos for Finnish Players
Our long-standing industry experience as both operators and affiliates has allowed us to develop a player-centric reviewing methodology to find top online casinos. With a focus on transparency, security, and game variety, we follow the criteria below to find the top options for players from Finland.
Licence & Security
Our starting point sees us inspect the legality of a casino website. Our only focus is on licensed casinos with strong SSL encryption protocols that safeguard players’ data.
Game Catalogue & Providers
We look for online casinos with a diverse game catalogue from the best providers like Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO, Evolution, and others. We expect to a large selection of slots, live casino games, and alternative options.
Bonuses & Terms Transparency
Besides checking the variety of online casino bonuses, our experts dissect their terms and conditions. We only recommend operators with clear terms and rules to follow.
Customer Support
Finally, before recommending a casino, we make sure to test the response rate and professionalism of support agents. We mainly use live chat as the fastest method for contact.
How Finnish Players Pay: A Guide to Payment Methods
Bank transfers, e-wallets and prepaid vouchers are widely used among Finns for their casino payments. Here is an overview of the online casino deposit and withdrawal options players can commonly find at our suggested sites.
| Payment Method | Processing Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Trustly | Up to 2 days, depending on the banks and public holidays | Transfers from bank accounts without sharing card details |
| Klarna | Deposits are instant, but withdrawals are not possible | Players on a budget who prefer flexibility |
| Euteller | Instant between Finnish banks | Players who value security and speed in bank transfers |
| PayPal | Instant deposits and withdrawals | Players who value convenience and speed |
| Cryptocurrencies | Instant deposits and withdrawals | Players who value anonymous transactions and low fees |
Finnish Gambling Tax Explained
In Finland, gambling taxation is mainly regulated by the Lotteries Tax Act, which requires the state-owned operator Veikkaus to pay a 12% tax on its gross gaming revenue (GGR). Bingo winnings are taxed at 5% of the prize value (excluding re-entry prizes), while other lotteries are subject to a 30% tax on their total prize values. Importantly, players do not pay personal income tax on winnings from Veikkaus, since the operator’s taxes cover this within the state monopoly system.
Currently, foreign gambling operators are not licensed to operate legally in Finland, so Finnish players’ winnings from these offshore sites are not taxed under Finnish law. However, new legislation is expected to introduce a licensing system by 2026, which will increase the GGR tax rate for licensed operators from 12% to 22%. This reform aims to open the market to international operators while enhancing regulation and consumer protection.
Top-Rated Online Casinos in Finland with Generous Welcome Bonuses
Now that we have gone through some of the most important nuances of Finnish online gambling sites, let’s check out which operators passed the meticulous reviewing criteria by our experts. In addition to a safe online gambling environment, the following operators also offer generous welcome bonuses for newly registered players.
| Casino | Licence | Welcome Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Vegas Nova | Anjouan | 150% up to €500 + €25 Cash Bonus |
| IntellectBet | Curacao | 300% up to €750 |
| Lunarspins | MGA | 305% up to €1,200 |
| GlitchSpin | Curacao | 410% up to €3,000 + 515 Free Spins |
| Hugo | Curacao | 225% up to €600 + 275 Free Spins |
Finnish Online Casinos vs VPN-Friendly Online Casinos
Much of the international gambling scene is dominated by VPN-friendly online casinos. Although they share many similarities, such sites contain some stark differences from Finnish gambling sites.
Player Protection in Finland
In Finland, the legal gambling age is 18, and all players registering with Veikkaus must verify their identity and age. The Lotteries Act emphasises preventing gambling-related harm, requiring Veikkaus to offer responsible gambling tools like self-exclusion. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, together with the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, which conducts a national gambling survey every four years, oversees the monitoring of gambling problems.
Gambling marketing in Finland is strictly regulated: advertisements cannot target minors or vulnerable groups and must avoid encouraging excessive gambling. Promotion of any gambling games outside Veikkaus’ monopoly is forbidden, with the National Police Board empowered to impose fines and penalties on those who violate these rules.
Conclusion: A State Monopoly on the Brink of Change
Considering the aforementioned points, it is evident that the proposed legislative reform in Finland is both necessary and timely. The longstanding state monopoly is poised to undergo significant transformation, paving the way for licensed offshore operators to enter the market.
FAQ
Is Online Gambling Legal in Finland?
Per the current Lotteries Act, only one company can offer online gambling services in Finland: Veikkaus Oy. However, since that legislation doesn’t cover offshore sites, the industry remains a grey area, so players from the country can access international casinos without any legal repercussions.
When Will the New Finnish Online Gambling Legislation Come Into Force?
The new legislation is expected to pass Parliamentary procedures in 2025, before coming into force in 2026. International online casinos can start operating in the country in early 2027.
What Types of Games Do Casinos That Accept Players from Finland Offer?
By playing at reputable gambling sites that accept players from Finland, you can play thousands of different games, which usually fall under one of the following categories: slots, live casino, games, instant win games, and table games.
