Veikkaus’ Corporate Governance Statement 2025 shows a company in transition. During a pivotal year for the Finnish state-owned operator, the group continued to adjust its governance structure while preparing for a regulated multi-licence market that will end its online monopoly in 2027.
One of the clearest governance developments in 2025 was the partial renewal of Veikkaus’ Board of Directors. At the company’s Annual General Meeting on 31 March 2025, Martti Ala-Härkönen and Charles Cohen were elected to the board, marking an important change in the operator’s top-level oversight during a strategically sensitive period.
Veikkaus also strengthened its legal and governance function during the year. On 4 June 2025, the company announced the appointment of Jyri Lassi as its new General Counsel, with a seat on the Executive Team and direct reporting to CEO Olli Sarekoski.
Those governance changes come against the backdrop of a major regulatory shift in Finland. According to Finland’s Ministry of the Interior, gambling companies have been able to apply for licences since 1 March 2026, and licensed operations will be allowed to begin on 1 July 2027. Until the end of June 2027, Veikkaus retains its monopoly position in the Finnish market.
Veikkaus itself has framed 2025 as a year of international growth and preparation for a multi-licence environment. The company said its B2B arm Fennica Gaming delivered a promising year, while the broader group continued to prepare for a more competitive domestic market.
The group also remains economically significant for the Finnish state. Veikkaus said it would pay EUR 466.4 million to Government Ownership Steering for 2025 and EUR 578.3 million to the Finnish state, underlining the financial importance of the operator even as its long-standing monopoly model is being reshaped.
Taken together,
the 2025 governance statement points to more than formal compliance. It signals how Veikkaus wants to position itself ahead of the biggest structural change in the Finnish gambling market in years: with a refreshed board, a reinforced legal function and a governance framework designed for a business that will soon have to compete in betting and online casino under a new licensing regime. That final point is an inference based on the board changes, legal appointment and official market-opening timetable.
18+ | Juegoseguro.es – Jugarbien.es
