Eurosport to pay an 800,000-euro fine for gambling ads

Added: October 15, 2021

Pan-European television sports network – Eurosport, has been fined a massive amount of 800,000 euros by Finland for placing gambling advertisments throughout ad-breaks.

The pan-European broadcaster has apparently been advertising gambling for many years in Finland all throughout ad-breaks, while international gambling operators and broadcasters have been banned from doing that.

The illegal activity by the broadcaster has been detected by Finland’s National Police Board, for the advertisements broadcasted on Eurosport 1 TV were clearly targeted at the Finnish audience with the language being Finnish, and bank credentials being listed as an option in these ads.

The Eurosport broadcaster has consequently been banned from broadcasting anything related to wagering in Finland for the next three months.

Anna-Emilia Sirén –Gambling Administration’s Police Board’s Senior adviser, commented on the legal action taken towards Eurosport by saying:

“The promotion of wagering services is strictly regulated by the Lotteries Act which serves as consumer protection from potential gambling harm.
As an authority, it is our responsibility to listen to all parties’ views, but take action, in case of a necessity, to prohibit any activity that could be marked as unlawful.”

Gambling services are strictly regulated in Finland, with the local government recently proposing some changes in the Lottery Act, according to which, Veikkaus – an operator that has a monopoly position in Finland, will no longer be allowed to promote slots.

Eurosport, Finland