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Finnish Police Step Up Gambling Marketing Fines Ahead of 2027 Licensing Switch
Finland's National Police Board has issued more prohibitions and fines over illegal gambling marketing than in earlier years, reportedly hitting individuals as well as offshore operators such as MagicPoro before its licensing regime opens.
Written by Editorial Desk16 October 2026
Finland's National Police Board (NPB) has made four prohibition decisions against illegal gambling marketing this year and ordered six conditional fines to be paid, the regulator said. Both counts are higher than in previous years.
The cases fall under the Lotteries Act, and the NPB is concentrating on marketing on websites and social media. A conditional fine is attached to a prohibition decision and becomes payable if the banned marketing continues.
According to reports, all six fines ordered paid were against individuals. In our reading, anyone promoting gambling to Finnish audiences online, creators and affiliates included, can be held liable personally, not only the operator behind the brand.
Penalties reach €1.2 million
Conditional fines set in prohibition decisions have ranged from €30,000 to €200,000 for individuals and from €100,000 to €1.2 million for companies, according to reports. The largest went to Estonian-licensed operator MagicPoro last month. The fines actually ordered paid ranged from €20,000 to €100,000.
The purpose of a conditional fine is not to punish illegal activities, but to reinforce compliance with the prohibition decision and to ensure that illegal marketing actually ceases.
Licensing arrives in July 2027
Finland is replacing its gambling monopoly with a licensing system. The new Gambling Act takes effect in July 2027, according to reports, letting operators apply for online casino and betting licenses and adding marketing requirements.
The NPB has received 75 applications, more than first estimated, with a fee of €29,000 per license, according to reports. Until the new law applies, unlicensed marketing is still judged under the Lotteries Act.
