Finland council questions impact of new gambling legislation
Finland’s council, Lainsäädännön arviointineuvosto, has raised concerns about the potential increase in gambling harms under the country’s new gambling legislation.
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Betsson’s BML Group remains on Finland’s blacklist
On November 28, Finland shared the updated payment blacklist, which included Betsson‘s BML Group.
The blacklist was first introduced in 2022 and is part of a broader effort to combat illegal gambling operations in Finland. So, being on this list means losing access to payment transactions in all forms.
BML Group was first blacklisted in February 2024 as a result of violating the Lotteries Act and marketing its gambling services in May 2023. Moreover, the company also received a fine of €2.4 million. Despite appealing the decision to Finland’s Supreme Administrative Court, the ruling still stands.
BML will remain blacklisted until October 19, 2025. While bans are typically set for 12 months, they can be extended yearly.
Antti Koivula, a lawyer specializing in gaming law, noted:
“While the resolution of this case unfolded as expected, the more intriguing question now is who will be next to join BML on the blacklist.”
Finland’s gambling market
This decision comes right when Finland looks ahead to launch a competitive iGaming market in January 2026. Earlier this year, Finland also announced its plans to allow horse racing betting earlier than in 2027.
FAQs
Is gambling legal in Finland?
Gambling in Finland is legal and regulated by the law.
What is the legal gambling age in Finland?
The legal gambling age in Finland is 18 years.
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