Veikkaus, the exclusive gambling operator in Finland, has announced a series of structural changes as the country’s gambling market prepares to transition to a multi-license system in 2026. The transition, outlined in the Finnish Government Program, will bring new opportunities for the company but also present challenges.
Heli Lallukka, Veikkaus’ Executive Vice President of HR, described the system changes as a significant milestone for the operator. Veikkaus will need to adjust its personnel structure to meet the transition requirements and enhance expertise in its major fields of operation. The company recently concluded talks and negotiations involving 825 employees to ensure its position as the leading Finnish operator and its competitiveness in the international market.
As part of its restructuring strategy, Veikkaus aims to make significant investments and bring in external knowledge to respond effectively to changing market conditions and requirements. The company recognizes the need to act swiftly and efficiently to adapt to the upcoming gambling environment, which will feature multiple licensees and fierce competition. To achieve this, Veikkaus will divide its operations into three main sectors, with designated leaders for each.
The shift to the new gambling system in 2026 is expected to result in around 185-215 redundant employees, with approximately 110-150 facing changes to their labor agreements. However, these figures represent a reduction from the initial estimates, thanks to productive discussions with workforce representatives. Final decisions on employment terminations and amendments to individual employment terms are expected to be made by the end of the year, taking into account employees’ potential acceptance of new positions or titles within Veikkaus, as well as their availability for internal job transfers.
In preparation for the changing Finnish gambling industry environment, Veikkaus will close Casino Tampere on December 9th and terminate the operation of 19 company-owned game arcades on December 22nd, 2023. These measures are part of the company’s strategic reaction to ensure full readiness for the upcoming market conditions and regulatory changes.