When are casino winnings tax-free?
For a Finnish player, winnings are tax-free when the casino operates under a licence granted within the EEA, for example in Malta or Estonia. Winnings from casinos licensed outside the EEA are taxable income.
How do I know whether a casino is tax-free?
Check the licence issuer at the bottom of the casino’s site: an EEA licence means tax-free winnings. We mark tax-free status in the pros and cons on each card whenever we have confirmed the licence issuer. What matters is the licence issuer, not where the casino is based or what language the site is in.
What does the EEA mean?
The EEA, or European Economic Area, covers the EU countries plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Gambling winnings from operators licensed within the EEA are tax-free in Finland. The most common licence areas for casinos aimed at Finnish players are Malta and Estonia, both of which are within the EEA.
Do tax-free winnings need to be declared?
Tax-free winnings are not declared as income. If in doubt you can check with the Finnish Tax Administration; the player is always responsible for taxable winnings. Winnings from a casino licensed outside the EEA, on the other hand, are declared as income.