Swedish gaming giant Betsson has successfully concluded a complex legal dispute in Finland, resulting in its official removal from the National Police Board’s (NPB) payment blocking list.
This decision, finalized on October 24, ends a year-long sanction imposed on the company’s former subsidiary, BML Group, and notably leaves the NPB’s official blacklist completely empty of active operators.
The removal marks the resolution of a protracted saga rooted in allegations that Betsson targeted Finnish consumers, violating the Lotteries Act. Although the NPB’s €2.4 million fine was eventually upheld by the Supreme Administrative Court in December 2024, the mandatory 12-month blacklisting period has now been served.
This conclusion provides crucial clarity for Betsson as Finland prepares for the most significant transformation in its gaming policy in decades.
Betsson’s clearance from the blacklist positions the group favorably ahead of Finland’s planned gambling market reform. Scheduled to introduce a competitive licensing system starting January 2027, the reform will dismantle the long-standing monopoly held by state-owned operator Veikkaus.
The government’s move toward a regulated, open-market setup, similar to models successfully implemented in Sweden and Denmark, is driven by a desire to steer players away from offshore sites and enhance consumer protection.
Crucially, under the proposed licensing rules, only operators with active prohibition orders as of a specific date (September 1, 2024) may be barred from applying for a license.
Betsson’s current status places it outside this restriction, giving the company a clear opportunity to apply when the licensing window opens in early 2026.
In anticipation of the new framework, Betsson proactively restructured several of its Nordic brands earlier this year, shifting them under Rizk Nordic Limited, a brand operating under a Malta Gaming Authority license.
Meanwhile, the NPB continues to maintain tight oversight, exemplified by its ongoing investigation into the Wildz Group for potential illegal advertising violations.
With Betsson officially cleared, its immediate focus shifts to regaining market presence and strategically positioning itself for Finland’s highly anticipated 2027 licensing era.
