Why Finns favour MGA casinos?

Finns are known as some of the most active gamblers in Europe and indeed the world.

Despite Finland’s strict gambling legislation, Finnish players still have an almost endless array of options when it comes to gambling.

For Finns, licensing plays a major role when choosing where to play. In recent years, the license granted by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has become a guarantee of security and reliability.

At the same time, new competitors have entered the market. One of the fastest-growing alternatives is Anjouan, whose license has already attracted a number of operators especially from Curacao.

This shift raises a key question: why do Finnish players continue to place their trust in MGA casino, and what sets the Maltese license apart from the rest?

Finnish gambling in numbers

Gambling is exceptionally widespread in Finland, it has always been.

According to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Finns spend around two billion euros on gambling every year, making the country one of the most active gambling markets in Europe relative to its population size.

Analyses by H2 Gambling Capital show that the share of Finnish players’ spending directed towards offshore online casinos has been steadily increasing over the past decade.

Estimates suggest that as much as €500–600 million flows abroad annually, with the majority of this spent on operators licensed in Malta.

This preference is evident in practice: when a Finnish player opens a new account, the location of the licence is often a more decisive factor than the casino’s design or marketing messages.

What makes MGA casinos trustworthy?

The Malta Gaming Authority was established back in 2001 and has since grown into one of Europe’s most respected gambling regulators.

Unlike many lightly regulated jurisdictions, the MGA operates under EU law and is required to comply with strict directives on consumer protection, anti-money laundering and responsible gambling.

For players this means safety net. If disputes arise for instance over the payment of winnings, players can appeal directly to the Maltese authorities.

This complaints mechanism has been in place for more than 20 years, giving the MGA a reputation as a regulator that genuinely intervenes when needed.

Transparency further strengthens that trust. Details of all companies licensed by the MGA are publicly available, and the validity of a licence can be verified with ease.

Anjouan and other new licences

Over the past couple of years, Malta’s position as the leading licensing institution for online casinos has begun to face fresh competition.

Chief among the challengers is the small island of Anjouan, whose licence has quickly attracted a wave of new operators.

The differences between these licences, however, are substantial. Anjouan’s regulators do not operate under EU law and offer nothing like the consumer protection guaranteed by the MGA.

Players have no comparable avenue to appeal in the event of disputes, nor is the financial stability of operators or the fairness of their games monitored with the same rigour.

Curacao, long known for its “light-touch” approach, has also attempted to reform its framework since 2023.

While these changes have brought greater transparency, the jurisdiction’s reputation remains weaker than Malta’s in the eyes of many players.

Gibraltar and the Isle of Man continue to operate as established licensing centres, yet neither has managed to achieve the same prominence in the Finnish market.

Safety comes first in Finland

Finnish consumers are accustomed to strong legal protections and clear regulations.

This is reflected online as well: according to Eurostat, Finns rank among the EU’s leaders in the use of digital services, yet at the same time they place a high value on data security and transparency.

When it comes to online casinos, these preferences translate into practical choices. Finnish players want certainty that their deposits, winnings and personal details are safe.

MGA casinos have been better placed than many of their competitors to meet these expectations.

Brands operating under a Maltese licence typically offer familiar and trusted payment methods for Finns, such as Trustly, Zimpler and direct bank transfers, enabling fast and secure money flows.

The connection to the domestic banking system is a key reason why MGA casinos feel like a natural choice.

Compared with newer jurisdictions, the contrast is clear. In many of the emerging licensing centres, requirements around responsible gambling remain largely formalities, leaving players with few realistic options to address problems when they arise.

Looking ahead

The dynamics of the online casino industry are shifting rapidly, and Finnish players are very much part of this change.

One of the biggest questions concerns Finland’s own forthcoming licensing system. The government has been preparing a model similar to those in Denmark and Sweden, under which foreign operators would be able to apply for an official licence and pay tax in Finland.

If the system comes into force as planned, it would significantly alter the competitive landscape including for Malta-licensed casinos.

How Finnish players will respond remains uncertain. Will the MGA licence continue to be the primary choice, or will a substantial share of gambling move to casinos operating under Finland’s own licence?

Experiences from other Nordic countries point in both directions. In Sweden, the national licence quickly gained a strong foothold, but MGA casinos retained part of the market particularly among players seeking more flexible terms.

Disclaimer: Players must be 18 years + to partake in any gambling, betting or casino activity. Players are urged to seek help if they require it. Players play at their own risk.