Veikkaus, the Finnish state-owned gambling operator, has swiftly suspended all betting on Finland’s top-level men’s floorball matches this week. This move follows the revelation of extensive betting violations in the sport, initially uncovered in June. The decision affects the F-Liiga, the pinnacle of Finnish floorball, whose new season commenced just this past Wednesday. Additionally, wagers on Finnish Cup matches, international games, and several other tournaments will also be on hold until further notice.
This decisive action comes in response to an ongoing match-fixing investigation being conducted by the Finnish Centre for Sports Ethics (SUEK). Veikkaus has confirmed that it will not accept any bets until disciplinary outcomes are determined. Mikko Lahti, who oversees security and risk management at Veikkaus, emphasized the importance of integrity in sports betting, stating that the company intends to “reassess the situation” once disciplinary proceedings have concluded.
The SUEK investigation is slated to wrap up this month, providing the Finnish Floorball Federation’s (SSBL) Competition and Disciplinary Group with the necessary findings to impose sanctions. However, any individuals facing potential penalties will be granted “several weeks” to respond to the federation’s conclusions, as per SSBL’s statement.
The roots of Veikkaus’ suspicions trace back to last month’s World Games in Chengdu, China, where the operator had already halted bets on floorball events. This precautionary measure followed alarming reports from June, highlighting dubious betting patterns surrounding a game involving Finland’s national team against Norway during the 2024 Men’s World Championship, as well as a domestic playoff in the 2024-25 season between clubs Classic and SPV.
In both instances, the suspicion was primarily due to the usage of insider information in placing bets, coupled with unusually high amounts being wagered. This raised the flag at Veikkaus, which promptly communicated its concerns to both the league and the SSBL.
While the investigation has not unveiled any criminal activity thus far, as stated by Ikonen from SUEK, it has nonetheless revealed grave violations of sports betting regulations. “The rules of sport have been violated here, according to our investigation, not Finnish law,” Teemu Japisson, SUEK’s secretary general, has commented, underscoring the distinction between ethical breaches and legal infractions.
Initially, it was believed that the number of individuals involved in the scandal was around a dozen. However, recent findings indicate a much broader scope, with about 100 players, coaches, and staff members implicated. This encompasses representatives from every team in the F-Liiga, extending back to the 2021-22 season. According to SUEK’s head investigator, Jouko Ikonen, this is “the worst in the seven-year history of his organisation.”
Reports detailing approximately 75% of the “very clear” betting violations have been shared with the SSBL. Ikonen noted that in these straightforward cases, the betting volumes were typically modest, and most of those investigated have confessed to their involvement.
In the backdrop of this scandal, Veikkaus has reported a decline in both revenue and net profit during the first half of 2025. This comes as no surprise given the significant investments made in anticipation of the forthcoming liberalisation of Finland’s iGaming market. For the first six months ending 30 June 2025, Veikkaus’ sales revenue was €466.4 million, a 3.6% decrease from the first half of 2024, yet this decline was within expected parameters.
The move by Veikkaus to suspend betting is seen as a robust stance against any form of corruption in sports. It illustrates the operator’s commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent betting environment, particularly as Finland’s iGaming sector prepares for an era of increased competition and regulatory scrutiny. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders in Finnland’s sporting community are closely watching the developments, eager to restore trust and integrity in floorball competitions.
While some argue that Veikkaus’ decision was necessary to uphold the integrity of the sport, others suggest it might inadvertently harm the sport’s popularity and financial health. Betting, for many sports, provides a significant revenue stream and engages a wider audience. A prolonged suspension could result in reduced visibility and interest, potentially impacting sponsorship and broadcast deals.
The unfolding scandal and Veikkaus’ response highlight the delicate balance between maintaining sports integrity and supporting the economic ecosystem surrounding sports. As the iGaming industry in Finland stands on the brink of transformation, these challenges underscore the complexities of governance and ethical responsibility in the digital age of gambling.
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