Jethro Rostedt Under Investigation for Alleged Gambling Promotions on Twitch

Investigation into Rostedt’s Twitch Gambling Content

Jethro Rostedt, a well-known Finnish entrepreneur and television figure, is currently facing scrutiny related to gambling content on his Twitch profile. Authorities have emphasized that despite orders to remove such content, it remained accessible online, risking significant penalties for Rostedt.

Authorities Claim Gambling Advertisements Persisted After Ban

In late 2024, Finland’s National Police Board issued a directive to Rostedt prohibiting the promotion of gambling services through his Twitch channel. Initially, a fine was set at 30,000 euros, later reduced to 25,000 euros. However, Finnish media reported that gambling-related content linked to Rostedt continued to be visible after this ban was imposed.

Officials noted frequent references to gambling deals within the content, messages encouraging participation, and links directing users to offshore betting platforms and online casinos. These affiliate-style links raised concerns, even though Rostedt denies any business arrangement connected to them. The regulators argued that the content was aimed at audiences in mainland Finland, potentially violating national laws that allocate exclusive rights to the state-owned company Veikkaus for online casino advertising.

The investigation was prompted by public complaints and the Police Board’s own inquiries. Authorities believe this was not isolated content but part of a sustained and deliberate campaign. The promotional visuals were closely tied to Rostedt’s brand, featuring cartoon depictions resembling him and references to his nickname “Jeti,” which appeared on at least one gambling website.

Rostedt Disputes Allegations and Questions Fine Amount

Rostedt has firmly denied involvement as a gambling affiliate or receiving financial benefits from betting companies. He insists that his Twitch content was not specifically targeted at Finnish viewers, highlighting the platform’s global reach and his greetings to audiences from various countries. Rostedt argues he does not manage the Twitch account beyond live broadcasts and lacks the ability to remove archived content himself.

He claims to have requested Twitch administrators to delete all flagged material and has since ceased streaming on the platform. In communications with the authorities, Rostedt criticized the potential fine as excessive, referencing his financial difficulties and stating he gained no income from the disputed promotions. He also expressed frustration over the lengthy administrative proceedings.

The National Police Board is currently assessing whether to enforce the conditional fine or impose additional consequences should they conclude that Rostedt violated the ban. This case adds to Rostedt’s recent legal challenges, as he was convicted of tax offenses in late 2024, continuing to attract public attention.