Veikkaus, Finland's state-owned gaming operator, has appointed Chris Armes as the executive vice president of Gaming Technologies and a member of its executive team. This announcement, made on Monday, indicates the company's efforts to adapt to the evolving landscape of Finland's gambling market, which is undergoing liberalization.
Armes is set to begin his new position in the autumn of 2026, where he will lead Veikkaus’ technology organization from its Helsinki headquarters. Olli Sarekoski, president and CEO of Veikkaus, noted Armes’ significant expertise in iGaming technology and his experience managing operations within highly regulated international markets as pivotal in the decision to recruit him.
"Chris Armes’ strong commitment to responsible gaming and security aligns well with our values," Sarekoski stated. He emphasized that Armes would play a crucial role in helping the company enhance customer experiences and drive technological innovation.
The focus for Veikkaus includes modernizing its digital platforms and pursuing international expansion to compete with new entrants following regulatory changes that have historically favored its monopoly. Currently, Finland is liberalizing its gambling sector, which has led to an influx of applications for licenses; as of June, 50 operators have submitted applications, with a majority being international or foreign firms.
Consultant Jari Vähänen, a former senior executive at Veikkaus, predicted the overall value of the business could reach as high as €4.5 billion ($5.24 billion) post-liberalization.
Armes arrives with a wealth of experience from his time at High5Games, an international gaming technology supplier, where he was responsible for technology and operational delivery across both B2B and B2C sectors. He has also held senior technology leadership roles at Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) and Scientific Games Digital, where he notably led the integration after Scientific Games acquired NYX Gaming Group.
"I am excited to join Veikkaus, an ambitious and forward-looking company entering a crucial new phase," Armes commented. He looks forward to facilitating technology-driven growth and creating competitive, scalable, and safe digital platforms for players.
In related developments, Ari Aarnihuhta, a senior manager at Veikkaus, is set to transition into an executive advisor role. Sarekoski acknowledged Aarnihuhta’s substantial contributions to the company in an official statement.
