Veikkaus Terminates 15 Positions and Creates 17 New Roles Ahead of Finland Gambling Market Opening

Finland’s state-owned gambling operator Veikkaus is terminating 15 existing positions and creating 17 new roles as it prepares for the July 2027 shift to a licence-based system for betting and online casino.

The moves affect the Data & AI department, two business units and finance teams. Negotiations are expected to last about three weeks. This restructuring follows the May decision to establish two subsidiaries, one for exclusive operations and one for the competitive licence-based market. Veikkaus has applied for a licence as a private entity and was among about 50 companies that submitted applications by the end of June.

Technology Upgrades and Industry Alignment

Veikkaus switched its sportsbook backend from DraftKings to OpenBet. It appointed former Scientific Games executive Chris Armes as executive vice president of Gaming Technologies, with the role commencing in autumn 2026. The operator also joined the Finnish Gambling Association.

First-Half Performance and Licence Commitments

Veikkaus reported a 1% year-on-year increase in sales revenue to €471.3 million ($546.8 million) in the first half of 2026. Operating profit rose to €227.7 million ($264.4 million) from €220.6 million, while profit for the period increased to €234.2 million from €229.6 million. Digital gross gaming revenue accounted for 64.5% of GGR, a rise of 3.6 percentage points. Registered customers reached approximately 2.6 million, up about 50,000.

Lottery and land-based gaming generated €317.9 million ($369.2 million) in GGR. Betting and iCasino GGR increased to €151.6 million ($175.3 million) from €146.5 million. International B2B subsidiary Fennica Gaming lifted revenue 80.6% to €10.3 million ($11.9 million). It now operates in 21 markets and holds an online supplier licence in the United Arab Emirates.

The new Gambling Act ratified in January 2026 ends Veikkaus exclusivity on betting and iCasino from July 2027 while preserving it for lottery games, scratchcards, slot machines and physical table games. The operator committed to paying around €1 billion ($1.16 billion) in market-based compensation for exclusive operations over a 10-year licence period, with a significant upfront payment scheduled for 2026. According to Yogonet International, these actions form part of broader preparation for greater competition.

Reporting: Yogonet International

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