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If you find yourself in a town or city without its own brick and mortar casino, then you’ll still be able to access online casinos which will give you access to all the games you’re used to.
The situation may be different in a few years though, as more options avail themselves to tourists.Finland is a relatively small country in the north of Europe, firmly within the European Union but on the border of Russia. It has a climate with extreme temperatures, falling lower than -50 degrees Celsius in the winter, through to almost +40 in the summer.
Finland is home to the popular winter destination of Lapland, which sees snowfall for around half of the year. This also makes it great for lovers of winter sports like skiing and ice hockey. That’s why the country has the third-highest number of players in the Kontinental Hockey League and the fifth highest in the National Hockey League.
Other attractions like the Northern Lights, Lake Saimaa and Savonlinna, and Helsinki’s Market Square all help to draw tourists into the country each year.
But is Finland a country that welcomes gamblers looking to play their favourite casino games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat?
Casinos in Finland
Casinos do exist in Finland, though they’re run by a government-run monopoly and you’ll only find two. The first, Casino Helsinki, is located in the country’s capital. It consists of more than 300 slot machines, a poker room and around 30 gaming tables.
Like many other land-based casinos, Casino Helsinki offers more than just gaming. It has a large sports bar with 30 screens showing all the most popular sports, and a further three restaurants that serve a mix of local delicacies and international favourites. It also hosts regular live entertainment, including music performances and comedy shows.
The second is the Paf Casino, which is located inside the Arkipelago Hotel & Casino in Mariehamn. This is situated on the Aland Islands, which are an autonomous part of the country. It’s smaller than Casino Helsinki, but it still offers a wide selection of games and other amenities.
A third casino is due to open in December 2021. Known as Casino Tampere, it will be located in Tampere.
Online Casinos in Finland
Laws around online casinos in Finland are quite restrictive, but this doesn’t stop Finns that enjoy wagering. Many online casinos that cater to Finnish people exist around the world, most of which are based abroad but accept Finnish players and provide full support for the Finnish language.
How Does Finland Compare to other countries in terms of gambling?
Finland has been a lot slower than many of its European neighbours at embracing casino gaming. It’s kept strict government control over all forms of gambling, including lotteries, sports betting and games like bingo.
Tourists looking for variety may want to look elsewhere, but if you’re happy with just a few options while you explore the other things that the country has to offer, then Finland may be a great option.