Veikkaus, Finland's state-owned gambling company, has successfully concluded change negotiations, marking a crucial step in its preparation for the upcoming shift in the country's gambling system. As outlined in the Finnish Government Programme, Finland is set to adopt a partially multi-license system starting January 1, 2026.
Heli Lallukka, Executive Vice President of Human Resources at Veikkaus, emphasized the significance of these changes for the company. "The upcoming adjustments in the system present a great opportunity for Veikkaus, but they also entail significant changes for us. We will be revising our personnel structure and focusing on our core business, working to strengthen our expertise in that area," she stated.
The change negotiations, initiated in early September and involving a total of 825 employees, have been successfully concluded. These organizational adjustments at Veikkaus will support their strategic goals of being a market leader in Finland and a growing, internationally competitive gambling company.
As part of these changes, Veikkaus' business operations will be reorganized into three key sections. SVP Nora Vähävirta will oversee the domestic business, which includes games of chance, slot machines, and the company’s own arcades. SVP Jarkko Nordlund will be in charge of the online casino and betting within the domestic market. The third sector, focused on international business, will be led by SVP Jonas Reuter.
As a consequence of the change negotiations, approximately 185 to 215 Veikkaus employees will lose their jobs, while around 110 to 150 employees will experience substantial changes in their employment terms. These figures represent a reduction from initial estimates, thanks to constructive dialogue with employee representatives.
Executive Lallukka emphasized that as part of the growth strategy, Veikkaus will make significant investments to enhance its competitiveness. "While we already have top-level professionalism in the field, in the future, we will also need external expertise. For example, we can currently offer unique career paths and multiple opportunities in the tech sector," she stated.
Additionally, as part of these changes, it has been announced that Casino Tampere will be closed after December 9, along with the closure of 19 game arcades on December 22, 2023. This strategic move aims to improve Veikkaus' competitiveness in the market. Final decisions on the exact dates of employment terminations and changes in employment terms will be determined by the end of the year, taking into account factors such as employee acceptance of new roles and potential internal transfers.
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