Are Online Casinos Legal in Finland?
Finland has a monopoly over the gambling market to ensure responsible gambling for all and enjoyment of games free from fears of losses, money laundering, piracy, etc. Once land-based casinos were brought under regulatory schemes, the Finnish government restricted online gambling sites as well.
For example, offshore gambling websites are, in effect, prohibited in the nation. This means that players attempting to access non-Finland licensed online casinos will be shut out suddenly if the government puts a restriction on accessing such sites. This is the reason why most settle for playing on locally licensed online casinos that are approved by the government, to avoid future inconveniences. Here, though, it is wise to have the confidence that the casino offers quality and reliable services, such as Thrills customer service, to address any emerging issues in a timely manner.
On a separate note, with native iGaming sites, you will also not have to contend with payment options. With the way Finnish society has adapted to gambling laws, more changes are bound to come about to fit new games access and enjoy gambling without legal consequences.
How to Choose the Best Finnish Online Casino
- License
Firstly, you have to make sure that the license obtained by the online casino that you are going to use is legitimate. Providing your details with a non-licensed site may be risky. Apart from that, such sites will not permit responsible gambling. Hence, make sure the site is licensed. In Finland, some of the authorities are accepted such as the UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, Curacao eGaming, etc. - Security and Protection
Secondly, consider the level of security provided to all the players indiscriminately. Most online casinos are constructed using blockchain technology, which is graded as one of the most secure networks. This makes it extremely difficult for cyber thieves to penetrate authentication layers or acquire user accounts. Additionally, SSL protection and 128-bit encryption algorithms also add security, so that no third party will have a view of your financial or personal information. - Find the Games You Want
Always choose a gambling website based on the games provided and if you are interested in playing them or not. For instance, if you are interested in live games like live roulette, live blackjack, live poker, etc., you should choose a website that offers these in big numbers. Likewise, the same goes for slots, virtual table games, jackpots, etc. Also, check which providers supply games to the casino. - Bonuses and Promotions
Secondly, consider the promotions and bonuses offered by the online casino. Most sites offer a first deposit bonus, which is usually a welcome bonus. However, the rewards will vary from one platform to another. For example, Casino A can offer a 100% match bonus while Casino B can offer a 140% bonus along with the same number of free spins. You can also get rewarded for second or fourth deposit bonuses. Free spins and promotions may also be given in terms of cashback or Friday free spins. - Banking Options
There are several banking options generally provided by most online casinos for convenient deposit or withdrawal of funds. There are generally three kinds of payment options: direct bank transfer, e-wallet (for players who do not want to share the banking details), and transactions via cryptocurrency or digital currency. - Customer Support
Finally, you need to check whether the selected online casino has good customer care. For example, through live chat support, small problems can be sorted out easily. More grave problems must also be solved by support through customer service numbers or official support email.
Taxes on Gambling in Finland
Three major controlling bodies control different aspects of the gambling industry in Finland:
- Veikkaus: Lotteries and bingo
- RAY: Slot machines and table games in the casino
- Fintoto: Horse racing
Both Fintoto and RAY are exempt from taxes, and Finnish players participate in casino games other than lotteries. However, when you win a lottery run in accordance with the authority of Veikkaus, you will be charged a specific tax.
- Providers must pay 5% of total revenue in sales made by selling tickets for the lottery.
- Veikkaus has to pay 12% tax on total revenue obtained from gambling services.
- 5% tax is levied on revenue derived from non-cash lottery machines.
Finnish Betting Addiction Support
A fine and fun way through which you can understand and acquire information about many games is gambling. But sometimes it becomes addictive, which can lead to serious problems in the future. To prevent that, we have discussed some effective services through which you can get help:
- Cure programs – You can take therapy and expert counseling so that you can get rid of gambling addiction.
- Motivational therapies – These allow you to hear other people's accounts on how they recovered from gambling addiction, which can be useful and encouraging on your path.
