Betsson Group Blacklisted in Finland

The Betsson Group, through its parent company BML Group Ltd, has been placed on Finland's blacklist. The presence on Finland's blacklist has been officially confirmed, as its parent company BML Group became the first gaming operator ever, licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority, to be included in the NPB's publicly available list of prohibited operators. The Betsson Group owns a total of 14 brands, which include popular names such as Betsson, Star Casino, and Betsafe. These brands are also specifically listed. The NPB's blacklist was introduced in December 2022 as part of an enforcement effort to protect the gambling market in Finland.

The news of Betsson Group entering Finland's blacklist comes as a consequence of them losing a court battle against the National Police Board on February 19, 2024. As a result, all banks, payment service providers, and virtual currency providers are now required to block money transfers from Finland to the company.

Betsson Group appealed the decision to impose a hefty fine of €2.4 million in May 2023 for allegedly targeting the Finnish market. The accusations against the company were that they had created and promoted content tailored to the Finnish market. It included banner advertisements on affiliate websites and blog writings, podcasts, and video podcasts. According to the police, the operator had heavily advertised their services in Finland, which violated the country's Lottery Act. The act states that only state-owned Veikkaus is allowed to provide gaming activities within the country. However, Betsson Group was given a reprieve from the fine in June 2023 when the Helsinki Administrative Court ruled that they did not have to pay until all appeals had been exhausted.

It is certainly not a positive development for Betsson Group's brand and reputation. Still, it serves as a critical reminder that companies must adhere to ethical standards and comply with laws and regulations to avoid such consequences. Stay tuned for more updates about this and other exciting news in the casino gaming world!