**Operator Reappears on Finnish Payments Blacklist**
The operator has resurfaced as the sole entity on an updated payments blacklist, published on November 28. Finland introduced this blacklist as part of the Lottery Act in 2022, with the regulation coming into force in 2023.
A report from the Police Board dated April 20, 2024, indicates the regulation aims to restrict access to gambling options that fall outside the Lotteries Act’s guidelines, especially when marketed in violation of the Act.
Companies listed on this blacklist are barred from engaging in transactions with Finnish banks, payment providers, and players.
The case of BML dates back to May 2023 when it was found guilty of targeting Finnish players through marketing and advertising strategies that breached the Finnish Lotteries Act. As a result, BML Group was fined €2.4 million (£2.1 million/$2.6 million) and prohibited from promoting its gambling services.
Subsequently, BML was placed on the blacklist in February. They are currently appealing this decision in Finland’s Supreme Administrative Court.
Despite their appeal, Betsson lost the case. According to the revised list, BML will remain on the blacklist until October 19, 2025. Blacklist entries can last up to 12 months but may be renewed annually.
Local attorney Antti Koivula, representing Legal Gaming, stated the decision resulted from prolonged unauthorized activities in Finland. “While the case concluded predictably, the pressing question is who will join BML on the blacklist next,” Koivula remarked.
Finland is gearing up to introduce a competitive online gambling market in January 2026. The government’s new legislation is under review by the European Commission and will be presented to the Finnish parliament next year.
**Effective Payment Blocking as a Measure Against Black Market**
Payment blocking has emerged as an effective strategy against illegal gambling entities.
In Germany, this approach has been quite successful, bolstered by administrative court support.
The Halle Administrative Court in Germany sanctioned the regulator Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder’s (GGL) decision to prevent an unidentified Swiss payment provider from processing transactions for unlicensed gambling entities in October.
In a recent discussion with iGB, Simon Priglinger-Simade, vice president for German trade body DOCV, shared, “The GGL reports seeing tangible impacts from payment blocking. Many unlicensed operators are unable to access payment services, suggesting it’s the most effective enforcement tool currently.”
Brazil’s betting industry stakeholders have also backed plans to halt illegal Pix payments once the licensed market becomes operational in January. Pix is a prominent instant payment service extensively used across the sector.