Finland Opens Consultation on Stricter Gambling Rules

Finland has launched a public consultation on stricter gambling harm prevention rules as it prepares to shift toward a licensed multi-operator market. The consultation is being led by the Gambling Risk and Harm Assessment Group (GRHAG), which operates under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

Opened on January 30, 2026, the consultation will remain open until February 24, 2026. Its outcome is expected to play a central role in shaping how licensed gambling operators will be regulated once Finland’s new licensing framework takes effect. Applications for licences are scheduled to open in March 2026, with the regulated market planned to go live in July 2027.

One of the most debated proposals is the introduction of a market-wide loss limit system. Under this model, player loss caps would apply across all licensed operators rather than on an individual site basis. In practice, this would prevent players from exceeding limits by switching between different brands.

Regulators view the idea as a necessary safeguard in a competitive market, as it removes an easy way to bypass responsible gambling controls. Operators, however, have raised concerns that such a system would significantly alter the commercial dynamics of the market by enforcing restrictions that follow players regardless of where they gamble.

Beyond loss limits, the consultation outlines expectations for mandatory safety tools across the licensed sector. Deposit limits, loss limits and time-based controls are all positioned as baseline requirements rather than optional features. The emphasis is on embedding player protection measures from the outset of market liberalisation.

GRHAG is also signalling a more proactive approach to harm prevention. Operators would not only be expected to provide control tools, but also to actively monitor player behaviour, identify early signs of risk, and intervene sooner rather than relying solely on self-imposed limits.

Young adults aged 18 to 24 are singled out as a higher-risk demographic. The consultation suggests this group may face stricter limits and enhanced protective measures compared with older players, a move that could influence both product design and regulatory compliance strategies.

Industry resistance has already emerged. Operators including SkillOnNet and Wildz Group have warned that overly restrictive rules could drive players toward unlicensed and offshore gambling sites that do not apply similar safeguards.

Wildz Group has pointed to Germany as a cautionary example, referencing estimates that only around 20 to 30 percent of gambling activity is channelled through licensed operators in environments with particularly tight limits. According to the company, if legal offerings become too constrained, player migration to illegal platforms could undermine consumer protection goals.