Betsson Cleared from Finland’s Payment Blocking List as Market Reform Looms

Swedish operator Betsson has achieved a significant victory in Finland after its official removal from Finland’s payment blocking list on October 24. This development marks the end of a turbulent 12 months for the company, marked by legal battles and regulatory scrutiny. With stellar Q3 revenues, Betsson could use this opportunity to expand its influence in the region.

The New Ruling Ends a Contentious Chapter for Betsson

Finland’s National Police Board (NPB) has fully lifted the restrictions that required banks and payment service providers to block financial transactions between Finnish consumers and Betsson’s former parent company, BML Group. BML’s removal from the list leaves it empty, a rare occurrence since the NPB first started employing this enforcement tool.

This development concludes a lengthy legal battle that saw Betsson challenge the NPB’s decision all the way to Finland’s Supreme Administrative Court, which ruled in favor of the regulator in December 2024. Although the verdict upheld the NPB’s authority, the duration of the proceedings effectively paused parts of the 12-month enforcement period, prolonging Betsson’s listing beyond its original expiry date.

The original enforcement stemmed from an EUR 2.4 million ($2.8 million) penalty imposed in May 2023, alleging that the company marketed its services to Finnish customers.  At the time, Finland maintained a state monopoly on all gambling through Veikkaus, so any direct or indirect involvement of foreign operators was considered illegal. Betsson has consistently denied the allegations, insisting it never intentionally targeted Finnish users.

Finland Could Present Significant Opportunities for the Operator

While Betsson did not manage to overturn the ruling in court, its removal from the list marks the end of a contentious chapter. The timing couldn’t be better. The company reported another strong quarter in Q3 2025, with revenue increasing 6% year-on-year to €295.8 million ($342.3 million) and EBITDA up 3% to €82.5 million ($95.48 million), driven by record casino revenue and growth in Western Europe.

In another positive development for Betsson, the Finnish government recently submitted a significant bill to the Parliament, which would put an end to Veikkaus’s decades-long monopoly and introduce a licensing model for online gambling by 2027. This new legislation would enable private operators, such as Betsson, to enter the market legally as long as they meet compliance and responsible gambling standards.

Betsson’s exit from the blacklist has more than just restored the company’s transactional freedom. This move could enable the operator to leverage Finland’s upcoming market liberalization. With a robust presence in neighboring jurisdictions and a commitment to innovation, Betsson is perfectly positioned to explore emerging market opportunities.