Finnish streamer Pottukoira fined for promoting foreign gambling sites

A Finnish district court has fined popular streamer Jouko Kärkkäinen, known online as Pottukoira, for illegally promoting foreign gambling companies in violation of the country’s Lotteries Act.

Kärkkäinen received 80 day-fines, totaling approximately €2,500, for marketing non-Veikkaus gambling services between May 2023 and February 2024. The promotions appeared on his website, Instagram, and Kick livestreams, according to evidence presented by prosecutors, including screenshots from his broadcasts.

The North Savo District Court ruled that the marketing was intentional and targeted at Finns, despite some content being produced abroad. Kärkkäinen denied the charges, arguing the promotion was not deliberate and not specifically aimed at the Finnish market.

Prosecutors had sought a three-month suspended prison sentence or a severe fine, but the court opted for day-fines due to the prolonged nature of the offenses and the frequency of the illegal posts. The court could not determine how much Kärkkäinen earned from the promotions.

The verdict is not yet final and can be appealed to a higher court. Veikkaus currently holds a monopoly on most gambling in Finland, though partial reforms will take effect in July 2027.