Tote betting rules
General regulations
Section 1
All races on which Tote betting is conducted shall observe the rules of harness racing of Suomen Hippos ry or the equivalent rules of the host country where the race meeting is held.
Section 2
Tote bets are placed on the basis of information provided in the official racing programme and/or online betting list and the totalisator system that are available in the Tote betting organiser's online service. Should the information provided in the official racing programme differ from the information in the online betting list and the totalisator system, the information provided in the online betting list and the Totalisator system shall take precedence.
The betting ticket is either printed out at the betting terminal or issued to the customer in electronic form. By purchasing the ticket the punter confirms the selections on the ticket and thereafter is not entitled to make any claims to the Tote betting organiser.
Section 3
The Tote betting organiser shall provide the following information on the horses to be wagered on: race number, number and name of the horse.
Section 4
The sales of betting tickets shall be stopped immediately when an accepted start has taken place.
Section 5
If a horse is scratched from a race, the Tote betting organiser shall refund all wagers on said horse unless the bet type applies a reserve runner system. The public shall be notified of the scratches of any horse.
Section 6
In case a race is cancelled, all money wagered on said race shall be refunded. If the race is postponed to be organised later, a new Tote betting pool shall be conducted. If the cancelled race is promptly restarted, the sales of tickets shall be continued up until the renewed start. The re-start does not entitle punters to exchange their earlier tickets to new ones.
Section 7
In the event of a technical failure in the totalisator system, which prevents correct calculation of payoffs, Tote betting shall be interrupted and the sold tickets refunded.
Section 8
The result of each Tote bet type is determined by the finishing order of the horses as declared by the official race organiser. Wagers on a horse that has been disqualified or fails to finish are not refunded. Two or more horses crossing the finish line together simultaneously (dead heat) get the same placing.
The order of finish of a race, as declared by the official race organiser, determines the Tote betting result, even if the placed horse were to be disqualified later.
The payoffs shall be made by the Tote betting organiser immediately when the confirmed official results have been declared and the odds published. No changes shall be made to the distribution of payoffs even if the results were to be changed later on.
If an error is made in calculating or publishing the payoff figures, then such error shall be promptly corrected and only the correct amounts shall be used in the payoff irrespective of the initial error.
Section 9
The results of Tote betting are given as odds. The odds are calculated by dividing the net pool by the total amount wagered on the winning combination or combinations. The odds shall always be calculated to two decimal places. The net pool refers to the payoffs paid from the total pool of wagers, as defined by Tote bet type in the Tote betting organiser’s betting licence.
The payoffs are calculated by multiplying the value of each wager by the odds. If the odds are less than 1.00, the wager shall be paid back in full to the winners.
Section 10
If no winning ticket is sold in a Tote bet type, the net pool shall remain with the Tote betting organiser.
If no horse finishes acceptably in a race, the net pool shall be refunded.
Section 11
The payoffs shall be rounded down to the nearest full €0.10.
Section 12
Payoffs are cashed only against betting tickets. The payoffs of online tickets are automatically paid to the punters or credited on their account. A ticket that has been altered, smeared or torn, or is otherwise unidentifiable, will not be cashed.
Section 13
Winning tickets shall be redeemed from the Tote betting organiser within three (3) months of the race.
The amount due on winning tickets unredeemed within the time limit shall be collected by the Tote betting organizer.
The excess cents from the rounding-off of the payoffs and the amount due on unredeemed tickets can be added to a subsequent Tote betting pool chosen by the holder of the betting licence.
Rules by Bet type
Minimum Wagers
Section 14
The minimum wagers determined by the Tote betting organiser in the totalisator system are used in Tote betting. In the case of centralised national Tote betting with shared tickets, the minimum wager can be subdivided into smaller units.
Shared Tickets
Section 15
Shared tickets refer to Tote pools in which the minimum wager has been subdivided into smaller units. The subdivided unit may be smaller than the minimum wager.
Voittaja-peli (win)
Section 16
The payoffs in the Win Pool are distributed as follows:
1. Tickets selecting the horse that finishes first shall be entitled to a payoff.
2. In case of a dead heat, the odds shall be computed separately for each dead-heated horse.
Sija-peli (place)
Section 17
Show Pool is organised only if there are at least four (4) runners in the race.
If there are four to six (4 – 6) runners in an accepted race, tickets selecting the horse finishing first or second are winning tickets.
If there are at least seven (7) runners in an accepted race, tickets selecting the horse finishing first, second or third are winning tickets.
Section 18
The payoffs in Sija-peli are distributed as follows:
1. The holders of winning tickets are first refunded their wagered amount in full. For that purpose, the sum total of all wagers on the horses finishing first (1st) and second (2nd) or first (1st), second (2nd) and third (3rd) is deducted from the net pool, and the balance is divided equally between the placements wagered on. The share for each winning placement is then divided by the amount of wagers for that placement, and the dividend thus obtained is added to the refundable amount.
2. In case of a dead heat, the following rules shall apply:
2.1. In case of a dead heat to finish first, the second or possible third placement will be excluded.
2.2. In case of a dead heat to finish second, the third placement will be excluded.
2.3. In case of a dead heat of more horses than there are winning placements, the payoff for the first placement according to point 1 above shall be apportioned equally between all the horses in the dead heat. The payoff for each horse in the dead heat shall then be computed according to the ratio of the wagers on each respective horse.
Kaksari-peli (quinella)
Section 19
Quinella pool is organised only if there are at least four (4) runners in the race.
Section 20
The payoffs in the quinella pool are distributed as follows:
1. Tickets selecting the horses finishing first and second are winning tickets. The mutual finishing order of these horses is inconsequential.
2. If no ticket has been sold on the winning combination, payoff shall be made on tickets selecting one of the two horses finishing first and second. The odds for each winning combination shall be computed separately.
3. In case of a dead heat or dead heats, the odds for each winning combination shall be computed separately.
Troikka-peli (trifecta)
Section 21
Trifecta pool is organised only if there are at least five (5) runners in the race.
Section 22
The payoffs in the trifecta pool are distributed as follows:
1. Tickets selecting the horses finishing first, second and third, in the correct order, are winning tickets.
1.1. If no ticket has been sold on the winning combination, payoff shall be made on tickets selecting the first, second and third place finishers in another order. The odds for each combination shall be computed separately.
1.2. If no ticket described in point 1.1. has been sold, payoff shall be made on tickets selecting two of the finishers in correct place. The odds for each combination shall be computed separately.
1.3. If no ticket has been sold selecting two of the finishers in correct place, payoff shall be made on tickets selecting one of the finishers in correct place. The odds for each combination shall be computed separately.
2. In case of a dead heat, the odds for each winning combination shall be computed separately.
Neliveto-peli (superfecta)
Section 23
Superfecta pool is organised only if there are at least five (5) runners in the race.
Section 24
The payoffs in the Superfecta pool are distributed as follows:
1. Tickets selecting the horses finishing first, second, third and fourth, in the correct order, are winning tickets.
1.1. If no ticket has been sold on the winning combination, payoff shall be made on tickets selecting the first, second, third and fourth place finishers in another order. The odds shall be the same for all combinations.
1.2. If no ticket described in point 1.1. has been sold, payoff shall be made on tickets selecting the first, second and third place finishers in the correct order, and the odds computed for this combination.
1.3. If no ticket has been sold selecting the first three finishers in correct place, payoff shall be made on tickets selecting the first and second place finishers in the correct order, and the odds shall be computed for this combination.
1.4. If no ticket has been sold selecting the first two finishers in correct place, payoff shall be made on tickets selecting the first place finisher, and the odds shall be computed for this combination.2. In case of a dead heat or dead heats, the odds shall be the same for all winning combinations.
V4 pool
Section 25
Wagering on the V4 shall cease when the first start of the V4 has acceptably taken place.
Section 26
The payoffs in the V4 are distributed as follows:
1. Tickets selecting the winners of all four races correctly are winning tickets.
1.1. If no ticket has been sold selecting all four winners correctly, payoff shall be made on tickets with three correct selections. In this case, the ticket with three correct selections shall entitle to as many dividends as there are selections in the race where the winner was picked incorrectly.
1.2. If no ticket has been sold selecting three winners correctly, payoff shall be made on tickets with two correct selections. In this case, the ticket with two correct selections shall entitle to a number of dividends obtained by multiplying the number of selections in the starts where the winner was picked incorrectly.
1.3. If no ticket has been sold selecting two winners correctly, payoff shall be made on tickets with one correct selection. In this case the ticket with one correct selection shall entitle to a number of dividends obtained by multiplying the number of selections in the starts where the winner was picked incorrectly.
2. In case of a dead heat, the odds for each winning combination with four correct selections shall be computed separately. If a winning combination with three, two or one correct selections entitles to payoff, the odds shall be the same for all winning combinations.
Section 27
If all four starts are cancelled or postponed, or all the runners in the V4 starts are disqualified, the Tote betting organiser shall refund all the V4 tickets sold.
In the event that a horse entered into the V4 does not start, it shall always be replaced by a reserve runner. A punter can pick one (1) or two (2) reserve runners. In case a punter fails to select a reserve runner, the totalisator system automatically provides a reserve runner for the non-starter or non-starters. The order of the reserve runners is determined in accordance with the reserve runner order, announced in advance, or the wagers placed on the runners.
In the event that all the entered horses are already included in the V4 system and some horse fails to participate, the totalisator system automatically gives a reserve runner for the non-starter or non-starters, irrespective of whether the said reserve runner had already been included in the V4.
Section 28
If the race is interrupted following an accepted start and there is a re-start, the new start shall only be included in the V4 if it is run in the order specified in the official racing programme.
If a race is cancelled, postponed or otherwise not accepted for some reason, or if no horse finishes as a winner, such start shall be excluded from the V4. In this case the tickets selecting the winners of the other starts correctly are entitled to as many dividends as there are selections in the excluded race. In case there are two or more excluded races, the tickets are entitled to a number of dividends obtained by multiplying the number of selections in the excluded races.
Päivän Duo (daily double)
Section 29
Wagering on the daily double shall cease when the first start of the daily double has acceptably taken place.
Section 30
The payoffs in the daily double are distributed as follows:
1. Tickets selecting the winners of the two starts correctly shall be winning tickets.
1.1. If no ticket has been sold selecting the two winners correctly, payoff shall be made on tickets selecting the winner of either the first or the second daily double start correctly. The odds for both combinations shall be computed separately.
2. In case of a dead heat or dead heats, the odds for each winning combination shall be computed separately.
Section 31
If the first race or both races of the daily double are cancelled, the Tote betting organiser shall refund all the daily double tickets sold.
Section 32
If the race is interrupted following an accepted start and there is a re-start, the new start shall only be included in Daily Double if it is run in the order specified in the official racing programme. If a start is cancelled, postponed or otherwise not accepted for some reason, or if no horse finishes as a winner, such start shall be excluded from the daily double.
Eksakta (exacta)
Section 33
Exacta pool is organised only if there are at least four (4) runners in the race.
Section 34
The payoffs in the exacta pool are distributed as follows:
1. Tickets selecting the horses finishing first and second in the correct order are winning tickets.
1.1. If no ticket has been sold selecting the correct combination, payoff shall be made on tickets selecting the horses finishing first and second in another order.
1.2. If no ticket as described in point 1.1. has been sold, selecting the two runners finishing first, payoff shall be made on tickets selecting the horse finishing in first place.
1.3. If no ticket selecting the first place finisher have been sold, payoff shall be made on tickets selecting the horse finishing in second place.
2. In case of a dead heat or dead heats, the odds for each winning combination shall be computed separately.
Head-to-Head
Section 35
In Head-to-Head pool the Tote betting organiser puts up two runners from which punters select the one to finish ahead of the other. Several horses can be coupled under a single betting object. In this case all the runners under that number shall be counted as one horse.
The payoffs in the Head-to-Head are distributed as follows:
1. Tickets selecting the number of the horse that finishes ahead of the other alternative are winning tickets.
2. In case of a dead heat the Head-to-Head wagers shall be refunded.
3. If the Head-to-Head runners fail to finish acceptably the net pool shall be refunded.
4. If all the Head-to-Head runners under one number are scratched from a race, the Head-to-Head wagers shall be refunded.
Triple-Head
Section 36
In Triple Head pool the Tote betting organiser puts up three runners from which punters select the one to finish ahead of the other two. Several horses can be coupled under a single betting object. In this case all the runners under that number shall be counted as one horse.
The payoffs in the Triple-Head are distributed as follows:
1. Tickets selecting the number of the horse that finishes ahead of the other two alternatives are winning tickets.
2. In case of a dead heat, the wagers placed on the dead-heated horses shall first be subtracted from the Triple Head net pool and the winners shall be refunded their Triple Head wagers in full. The remainder shall be divided evenly between the dead-heated horses and the odds for them shall be computed separately.
3. If the Triple-Head runners fail to finish acceptably the net pool shall be refunded.
4. If all the Triple-Head runners under one number are scratched from a race, the Triple-Head wagers shall be refunded.
International horse races
Section 37
The numbers in international Tote betting pools may differ from the numbers of the horses racing on the track. In such cases the Tote betting results shall be determined by the order of finish according to the numbers used in the Tote betting pool.
International Tote betting pools enable punters to wager on several horses coupled under one number as a single betting object. In this case all the runners under that number shall be counted as one horse.
In all Tote betting pools only the horse that finishes in the best position among the coupled horses shall be taken into account.
In case one or more of the horses coupled under one number as a single betting object are scratched from the race, while at least one of the coupled horses under that number takes part in the race, there shall be no refunding of wagers. In the event that all the horses under said number are scratched from the race, the Tote betting organiser shall refund the tickets sold on that number unless the reserve runner system is applied.
International common pool Tote
Section 38
In international common pool wagering, the host Tote betting organiser country adds up the wagers of punters in different countries into a common pool. The odds are the same in all participating countries.
The Tote betting organiser shall notify the Ministry of the Interior in writing about the international common pool and about any deviations from the normal Tote betting rules 14 days prior to opening the pool for wagering. The punters must be informed of these deviations on the Tote betting organiser’s website and at betting outlets.
In the event of an error in communications or a technical failure which prevents the execution of the international common pool, the Tote betting organiser can make payoffs in accordance with the host country’s odds, change the pool into a national Tote betting pool or refund the sold ticket. The Tote betting organiser shall notify punters of any changes before the pool is closed for wagering.
Tote Tournaments
Section 39
Tote tournament is a general term for a bet type in which punters play against one another. Tournaments can be conducted at the race track, at a Tote betting outlet or on the Internet in the manner specified by the Tote betting organiser in advance. The Tote betting organiser shall be responsible for drafting tournament rules and announcing them as well as for tournament progression.
Matters Relating to Organising Tournaments
Section 40
The rules for each Tote bet type shall always be followed in tournaments, available for public inspection at the tournament's betting outlet, race track or website. Prior to the tournament, the Tote betting organiser announces the following tournament rules:
1. Tournament participation fee that is used in full on Tote betting during the first round of the tournament.
2. The tournament’s time and duration, indicating tournament start time and which races and race starts the tournament comprises.
3. Tournament forum, which may either be a race track, Tote betting outlet or the Internet. One tournament can only be organised using one distribution channel.
4. Participant restrictions, which the Tote betting organiser can use to limit the number of participants in a tournament. If a tournament’s number of participants is restricted, the Tote betting organiser shall announce the maximum number of participants in advance.
5. Number of tournament rounds, indicating how many rounds the tournament comprises. One round may comprise one or more starts. If the tournament has more than one round, the criteria for advancing from that round shall be announced to the participants.
6. The bet types used, including only bet types for which the Tote betting organiser has a valid betting and gaming license. The Tote betting organiser may restrict the number of bet types included in the tournament. The Tote betting organiser shall announce these restrictions in advance.
7. Tournament wagering practice, indicating
a. the minimum and maximum wagers for the used bet types regarding rounds and individual starts
b. reusing tournament winnings for betting as the tournament advances
8. The prize diagram, indicating how many participants will be awarded, and the relative distribution of winnings among the winners. All winnings accumulated by the punters during a tournament shall be distributed to the winners in accordance with the announced prize diagram. The last remaining participant or the one with the highest winnings after the predetermined duration of the tournament shall be named the winner of the tournament.
The winnings will be distributed on a round-specific basis according to the number of participants as follows:
Participants Winners Dividends
1-4 1 100 %
5-8 2 70% - 30%
9-12 3 50% - 32% - 18%
13-16 4 40% - 30% - 18% - 12%
17-24 5 35% - 25% - 18% - 13% - 9%
25-40 6 33% - 23% - 16% - 12% - 9% - 7%
41-72 8 32% - 22% - 15% - 11% - 8% - 6% - 4% - 2%
73-100 10 32% - 21% - 14% - 10% - 7% - 5% - 4% - 3% -2% - 2%
101-150 15 31% - 20% - 13% - 9% - 6% - 5% - 4% - 3% - 2% - 2% - 5 * 1 %
151-250 20 29% - 19% - 12% - 9% - 6% - 4% - 3% - 5 * 2% - 8*1%
251-500 30 27% - 17% - 11% - 8% - 5% - 4% - 4*3% - 10*1% - 10 * 0,6%
501- 50 22% - 15% - 10% - 7% - 5% - 4% - 3% - 3 * 2% - 10 * 1.5% - 10 * 0.7% - 10 * 0.4% - 10 * 0.2%
General Tournament Progression
Section 41
General progression of a tournament is indicated in the following:
1. At the start of a tournament, punters can be divided into one or more groups.
2. During each round, a separate contest will take place within the groups, from which the winner or winners will advance to the next round of the tournament.
3. Only one group is featured in the concluding round of the tournament, with the winner of which being the winner of the entire tournament. Should more than one participant end up with the same result in the concluding round, the tournament payoff shall be apportioned equally between all the participants with the same result.
Tournament Progression
1. Punters use their participation fee to bet on the predetermined Tote bet types.
2. Tournament rules allowing, punters may reuse their winnings for more betting in the tournament.
3. At the conclusion of each tournament round, winnings shall be distributed to the winners in each group in accordance with tournament rules. The punters advancing to the subsequent round will continue the tournament, using their winnings from the previous round.
4. Should two or more participants end up with the same result in a round, the participant with the largest net winnings in that round shall advance to the next round of the tournament. Net winnings refer to cashed winnings, with the wagers used on bet types subtracted. Should participants ending up with the same result also have equal net winnings, the participant who has submitted his last winning entry in the totalisator system at an earlier point shall advance to the next round of the tournament.
5. Should a participant fail to place the minimum wager, required by tournament rules, in a round, the unused portion will be included in that group’s winnings.
6. During the following rounds, participants may wager their winnings from the previous round within the minimum and maximum wager limit rules of the tournament, being, however, no less than the participation fee. Should the previous round’s winnings be less than the participation fee, the participant must wager the previous round’s winnings in full. Should a participant fail to use some of his winnings from the previous round in the subsequent round, and advance further to the next round, these winnings shall remain with the participant, and can no longer be used for betting in the tournament.
7. Should a tournament be interrupted due to reasons relating to a race or technical failure, all unused participation fees and gained winnings will be paid to the participants still remaining in the tournament.
