Veikkaus uncovers suspicious betting in Finnish floorball
Veikkaus has raised concerns over several incidents of suspicious betting on floorball in the country, including players and officials wagering on national team and club matches.
Veikkaus announced Tuesday it had uncovered this suspicious betting activity, relating to a Finnish national team game played in December and a match in the F-Liiga top-tier national club competition. It has flagged its findings with both the league and the Finnish Floorball Federation (SSBL).
The national game was Finland against Norway in the 2024 Men’s World Championship last December. Veikkaus said inside information about the game appears to have been used in bets made by several league players and officials outside the national team.
The national game in question was Finland against Norway in the 2024 Men’s World Championship last December.
Veikkaus also flagged the 2024-25 season F-Liiga playoff match between Classic and SPV in the spring of this year. It said individuals with close connections to the Classic team wagered on the game but added that there were no concerns over SPV.
Veikkaus detects unusually large bets
As to how Veikkaus reached its conclusion of suspicious betting, Director of Security and Risk Management Mikko said bets placed were far higher than standard wagers on these games. He added that some of these bets also came from accounts that had been inactive for some time.
“Based on our investigations, it seems quite obvious that secret lineup information has been passed on and leaked from within the teams, before it has become public,” Lahti said.
“Based on these, people with close connections to insiders have even placed completely exceptional bets for themselves before the lineup information was published, even against the team to which the bettor is connected.
“However, we are not aware that those who played in the matches in question or acted as officials listed in the minutes have placed bets on the matches.”
Players bet on their own teams to lose
In addition to the two matches in question, Veikkaus raised further concerns about wider betting activity in the F-Liiga. It said several players, officials or others closely connected to teams bet on league matches during the previous two seasons. This is against the F-Liiga rules and regulations.
Veikkaus flagged one player in particular who wagered tens of thousands of euros during the last season. The same player was also found to have placed large bets in previous years.
The operator also noted how an individual involved with the operations of a team placed bets throughout last season. Wagers were made before team lineups were published, with some bets being on his team to lose.
“This is a serious matter in which actions have been taken contrary to the rules and ethical values,” Lahti said. “I hope that the disclosure of the matter will underline for everyone involved in top-level sports in Finland how confidential insider information linked to betting and the betting ban related to one’s own league should be treated.”
Sports federation ‘truly sorry’ over suspicious betting
Veikkaus has handed over the relevant material to the Finnish Sports Ethics Centre (SUEK). The Finnish Floorball Federation (SSBL) and F-Liiga will also commence their own investigations into the matter.
SSBL Executive Director Riku Tapio said he was “naturally disappointed” over the issue. He said the federation will likely impose penalties on those involved.
“We are truly sorry,” Tapio said. “This is against morality, ethics, rules and agreements. Our task is to ensure that these cases are investigated. After that, the clear goal is to ensure that this never happens again.
“Together with SUEK, we will do everything we can to find the culprits. After that, we will impose penalties on them.”