(AsiaGameHub) –   Veikkaus, Finland’s state-owned gaming operator, has announced a new appointment to its executive leadership team. The company revealed that Ilkka Kosola, an experienced financial leader, will be joining as chief financial officer (CFO) and will also become part of the executive management team.

Kosola Brings a Strong Finance Background and Proven Success

On May 4, 2026, Veikkaus announced that Ilkka Kosola has been appointed as CFO and will join the executive management team. The Finnish organization stated that he is expected to begin his role by the end of September 2026.

In its official statement, Veikkaus explained that this appointment supports the company’s strategy for 2030. It comes amid ongoing regulatory changes in Finland’s gaming industry and preparations for the transition to a multi-license gaming framework.

As Veikkaus gets ready to face increased competition from new market entrants, Kosola will use his extensive experience to help ensure the company’s long-term success. According to the announcement, Kosola is a seasoned finance professional who has held senior financial roles and has a strong record of “leading successful strategic projects and transformations.”

Prior to joining Veikkaus, Kosola served as group CFO at Reaktor. He previously held the same position at Adven Group. His career also includes various senior finance positions at companies such as TietoEvery, Basware, and Fortum.

CEO Sarekoski Praised Kosola as an “Excellent Fit” for Veikkaus

Olli Sarekoski, president and CEO of Veikkaus, commented on the appointment, expressing enthusiasm about welcoming Kosola to the organization. Sarekoski highlighted the appointee’s deep expertise in both finance and IT, describing him as an “excellent fit” for Veikkaus as Finland moves toward a license-based gaming system.

We are confident that his [Kosola’s] expertise will be a great asset to our company and our executive management team as we work towards our strategic goals for 2030.

Olli Sarekoski, president & CEO, Veikkaus

Kosola also shared his thoughts on the appointment, stating that he is excited to join the Veikkaus team. He added that he looks forward to supporting the operations of the “iconic Finnish company” as it enters a new phase in the evolution of Finnish gaming.

Veikkaus is at a pivotal point in its history, and I am eager to apply my experience to support the company’s transformation and the execution of its new strategy in the opening license market.

Ilkka Kosola, CFO, Veikkaus

In other developments, officials in Helsinki reportedly considered the possibility of a stock market listing for Veikkaus, should the company demonstrate its ability to operate independently in a competitive environment.