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Finland faces backlash for proposed player protection rules
Operators in Finland, including SkillOnNet and Wildz Group, have hit back at proposed player protection measures, stressing that they could push players to the black market.
On January 30, 2026, the new Gambling Risk and Harm Assessment Group (GRHAG) published a consultation on the proposals, and stakeholders were given until February 24, 2026, to share their opinions on the measures.
The measures include a cross-operator loss limit, which means that players could gamble a given amount of money across all licensed operators and not with individual ones. Player control tools were also proposed, like limits for deposits, losses, and playing time.
Operators have mostly expressed negative views on the proposals. SkillOnNet stated that the cross-operator limit could push players away from the regulated market and that deposit and gaming limits can’t be separated and tightened so strictly.
SkillOnNet commented:
“A forcibly closed gaming account is always a negative customer experience. Every time a customer is directed to look for a new gaming location, the risk of finding a site operating outside the system increases.”
Wildz Group added:
“If the restrictions presented in the recommendations were applied in Finland without an assessment of the channeling effects, it is justified to assume a similar outcome.”
The GRHAG additionally suggested flagging individuals from 18 to 24 as high-risk groups and warned against using AI tools for player protection.
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