Betsson, Back on Finland’s Payment Blocking List

At the start of the year, Finland blacklisted Betsson subsidiary BML Group, turning it into the pioneering Malta Gaming Authority-licensed company to face such action. 

Then, Finnish banks and payment providers were ordered to block payments to the operator after the Helsinki Administrative Court fined the group €2.4 million ($2.51 million) for allegedly targeting the local market and violating advertising laws.

Betsson proceeded to contest the fine and appealed. In April, it was revealed that the Supreme Administrative Court suspended the order, with the appeal still pending.

At the end of November, the BML Group subsidiary was once again added to the country’s government payment-blocking list.

The decision followed the Supreme Administrative Court’s dismissal of the operator’s appeal. 

The NPB Updated Its List

The company’s subsidiary was re-added to the list on November 28, as confirmed by an update to the public spreadsheet maintained by Finland’s National Police Board (NPB).

The payment blocking list mandates banks, payment providers, and financial institutions to halt transactions between Finland and listed companies. 

Now that the case has been ruled, the operator finds itself back on the dreaded list.

A Betsson spokesperson responded to the new state of things, explaining to EGR that they had taken note of the “developments” while refusing to make any additional comments on the matter for the time being. 

“The Case Itself Was Straightforward”

Legal expert Antti Koivula from Legal Gaming Attorneys at Law highlighted the broader implications of the case. 

Koivula explained that the case that involved Betsson’s subsidiary “pertained to their marketing practices targeting Finland, which were found to violate Finnish law.”

The legal expert added that BML has no more options to try to overturn the decision and that “the case has been conclusively resolved.”

From now on, the NPB’s prohibition order together with the €2.4 million conditional fine and the inclusion on the payment blocking list will remain effective until October 19, 2025.

“The case itself was straightforward and unfolded exactly as I had anticipated. From my perspective, the more intriguing question now is: who will be the next to follow in BML’s footsteps?”, Koivula added. The latest regulatory action comes as the county is getting ready to transition from its monopoly gambling model to a multi-licensed framework, which is expected to officially launch in 2026.