Finland intensifies crackdown on illegal gambling advertising

Finland’s National Police Board (NPB) has increased enforcement against illegal gambling promotions, particularly those distributed via social media, digital platforms, and gaming livestreams. The regulatory actions include prohibition decisions and conditional fines aimed at ensuring compliance with local laws.

Conditional fines can reach up to €1.2 million for companies and €200,000 for individuals. These penalties are designed to reinforce prohibition orders rather than serve as direct punishment; they become payable only if the recipient fails to cease the unlawful activity within a specified period. To date, all enforced conditional fines have been imposed on individuals.

The crackdown comes as Finland prepares to launch a regulated online gambling market on July 1, 2027. Authorities noted that unlicensed operators often lack essential player protection measures, and illegal marketing encourages users to engage with services that do not adhere to Finnish regulations.