Finnish gambling monopoly Veikkaus will customers to verify their identity to play its slots as of 12 January, part of a series of player protection measures which the operator expects to cut player losses by up to €300m.

Under the new system, players must use a virtual identification card available on their phone, to log in before gambling.

The operator said that this will have “significant financial consequences,” anticipating a decline in player losses of around €300m from this and other player protection measures.

Veikkaus’ sales director Jari Heino said the change would make it easier for players to stay in control of their gambling.