Betsson Removed from Finland’s Payment Blocking List Amid Market Changes
Betsson’s Removal from the Finnish Payment Blocking List
Swedish gambling operator Betsson has recently been taken off Finland’s payment blocking list as of October 24. This marks the end of a difficult year for the company, which faced intense regulatory scrutiny and legal disputes in the Finnish market. Following impressive third-quarter financial results, Betsson is now well-positioned to expand its presence in the region.
Resolution of the Dispute with Finnish Authorities
The National Police Board of Finland has lifted all restrictions requiring banks and payment providers to block financial transactions between Finnish consumers and Betsson’s former parent company, BML Group. This removal has emptied the blocking list, an uncommon event since the enforcement began.
The decision follows a prolonged legal struggle in which Betsson contested the restrictions up to Finland’s Supreme Administrative Court. Although the court upheld the regulator’s authority in late 2024, the legal proceedings paused enforcement temporarily, extending Betsson’s presence on the list beyond the initial enforcement period.
The enforcement originally arose from a fine amounting to 2.4 million euros (approximately 2.8 million U.S. dollars) imposed in May 2023. The penalty was based on accusations that Betsson marketed its services to Finnish players, which was against the law at a time when Finland’s state monopoly on gambling, held by Veikkaus, was strictly enforced. Betsson has consistently denied targeting Finnish customers intentionally.
Potential Growth in a Changing Finnish Market
Despite not overturning the original ruling, Betsson’s removal from the blocking list closes a challenging chapter and comes at an opportune moment. The company reported strong financial growth in the third quarter of 2025, with revenues rising 6% year-on-year to 295.8 million euros (about 342.3 million dollars) and EBITDA increasing by 3% to 82.5 million euros (95.48 million dollars), fueled by record casino income and expansion in Western Europe.
Adding to the positive outlook, the Finnish government has introduced proposed legislation aimed at ending Veikkaus’s decades-long monopoly and establishing a licensing system for online gambling by 2027. This new legal framework would allow private operators like Betsson to enter the Finnish market legally, provided they comply with regulatory and responsible gambling requirements.
Betsson’s removal from the blacklist not only restores its ability to conduct transactions with Finnish consumers but also positions the operator to capitalize on forthcoming market liberalization. With a strong footprint in nearby markets and a focus on technological innovation, Betsson is strategically prepared to seize new opportunities as Finland’s gambling landscape evolves.
