Betsson Off Finland Blocklist Before 2027 Market Opening Era
Betsson has been officially cleared from Finland’s payment-blocking list, ending a year-long sanction imposed by the National Police Board (NPB). The decision, issued on 24 October, marks the first time in over a year that Finland’s blacklist contains no operators under active restriction.
The dispute began when Betsson’s former entity, BML Group, was sanctioned for allegedly targeting Finnish players. Betsson challenged the ruling through multiple courts, but Finland’s Supreme Administrative Court ultimately upheld the NPB’s €2.4 million fine in December 2024, confirming the regulator’s decision. The 12-month blocking period remained in effect, though court delays affected the enforcement timeline.
The development positions Betsson well as Finland moves toward a re-regulated market model. Finland plans to introduce a licensing regime in January 2027, ending Veikkaus’ long-standing gambling monopoly. The shift aims to curb offshore activity and channel betting into a controlled system similar to those in Sweden and Denmark.
Crucially, only operators with active prohibition orders as of 1 September 2024 will be barred from future licence applications meaning Betsson remains eligible to enter the new framework. Earlier this year, the company realigned several Nordic brands under Rizk Nordic Limited, licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority, as part of its strategic planning for regulatory changes.
Meanwhile, Wildz Group is facing a fresh investigation from the NPB over potential illegal marketing activity, highlighting Finland’s continued focus on enforcement as it transitions toward a competitive market.
With the blacklist now cleared, Betsson is expected to re-engage with Finnish audiences and prepare for licence applications ahead of the market opening in 2027.
