Betsson has transferred its online gaming services for European customers to a new holding company called Rizk Nordic Limited.
This brand has been licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and is subject to its regulation from November 2022. The Rizk domain has now replaced the previous licensee BML Group.
The updated Betsson website now states the following: “For customers residing in the European Union (excluding customers residing in Sweden and sportsbook customers residing in Ireland), the operator of this website is Rizk Nordic Limited, company registration number C101569, having its registered address at Betsson Experience Centre, Ta’ Xbiex Seafront, Ta’ Xbiex, XBX1027, Malta. Rizk Nordic Limited is licensed and regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority under licence MGA/B2C/959/2022 issued on the 7th November 2022”.
Betsson made the decision to move due to BML Group being blacklisted by the Finnish police. This means that any gambling firm on this list cannot work with Finnish banks, payment service providers or crypto companies, which will block them from receiving payments from Finnish players.
For Betsson, this is important because the blacklist only applies to the licensee itself, and not to the entire business. Therefore, Rizk Nordic, replacing BML, will comply with all government restrictions in accordance with the Lotteries Law.
Last year, the Helsinki Administrative Court ordered Betsson to pay a €2.4 million fine for alleged illegal actions against Finnish players to compete with state gambling monopoly Veikkaus.
Betsson continues to maintain his innocence.
Finnish media outlet MTV quoted Mikko Kantell, chief inspector of the Police Department’s lottery department, as saying: “Through its activities, the Police Department is trying to stop illegal gambling marketing and if this continues, we will take action.”
In 2023, Finland’s new conservative coalition government, led by Petteri Orpo, adopted a “policy agenda” that would review state assets.
The coalition’s program aims to end Finland’s current monopoly gambling system in favor of a new licensing model to be introduced no later than 2026, although this mandate has not yet been approved by the relevant authorities.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our Telegram channel!
