Finland’s National Police Board has significantly increased its enforcement actions against illegal gambling marketing in 2026, issuing prohibition decisions and conditional fines. This rise in regulatory activity comes ahead of the market’s opening to licensed competition in July 2027.
What Happened
The Gambling Administration of Finland’s National Police Board reported a substantial increase in enforcement against illegal gambling marketing on October 14, 2026. This year, the board has issued four prohibition decisions and six conditional fines, a figure described as “clearly higher than in previous years,” according to Lawyerd.net.
These prohibitions specifically address the illegal promotion of gambling games across websites and social media platforms. Each prohibition was supported by conditional fines, which vary based on the recipient’s identity and the nature of the violation, as reported by Lawyerd.net.
Key Details
- Conditional fines for individuals range from €30,000 to €200,000, while companies face fines between €100,000 and €1.2 million, according to Lawyerd.net.
- Conditional fines already ordered for payment against natural persons were between €20,000 and €100,000, Lawyerd.net stated.
- The National Police Board confirmed that a prohibition decision can be issued to both companies and individuals, noting that illegal marketing often occurs on social media, gaming, and gambling livestreams, as per Lawyerd.net.
- Finland’s current Lotteries Act permits only Veikkaus Oy to market gambling within mainland Finland, and the definition of marketing encompasses advertising, sales promotion, and all activities designed to increase demand for gambling games, Lawyerd.net reported.
Why It Matters
This increased enforcement by the National Police Board occurs during Finland’s transition period towards a new Gambling Act, which will allow licensed competition for betting and online casino services starting July 1, 2027. Operators have been able to apply for licenses since March 2026, with the police reporting numerous applications, according to Lawyerd.net. The board has explicitly stated that marketing by any entity other than Veikkaus, even future licensees, remains illegal until July 2027.
The enforcement actions highlight the risks for operators, particularly concerning third-party marketing. Affiliates, streamers, and influencers promoting offshore brands to Finnish consumers are identified as typical targets for these fines, potentially impacting an operator’s reputation if their brand is associated with illegal campaigns, according to Lawyerd.net.
What’s Next
Operators planning to enter the Finnish market should assess their brand’s presence in marketing conducted by affiliates, social accounts, livestreams, and Telegram channels within Finland. It is advisable to instruct partners in writing to cease Finnish-targeted promotion and to document these instructions. Furthermore, operators should address unauthorized use of their brand in illegal marketing, viewing it as a trademark or impersonation issue that requires immediate action, as outlined by Lawyerd.net.
Originally reported by Lawyerd.netPublished
Sources & References
Primary source
- Lawyerd.netlawyerd.net