Veikkaus, the state-owned gaming operator in Finland, has appointed Chris Armes as the executive vice president of Gaming Technologies, joining its executive team. This announcement, made on Monday, aligns with Veikkaus’ strategy to adapt to the evolving market landscape influenced by the liberalization of Finland’s gambling sector.
Armes is expected to assume his role in autumn 2026, where he will oversee the technology organization from Veikkaus' headquarters in Helsinki. Olli Sarekoski, president and CEO of Veikkaus, pointed to Armes’ extensive experience in transforming iGaming technology and managing operations in strict international markets as critical reasons for this appointment.
"Chris Armes’ strong commitment to responsible gaming and security aligns well with our values," stated Sarekoski. He emphasized that Armes will play a vital role in driving the company’s efforts to enhance customer experiences and foster technological innovation.
Veikkaus is actively modernizing its digital platforms and looking to expand its international presence to stay competitive against new entrants in the wake of significant regulatory reforms. Finland is currently transitioning away from its long-standing gambling monopoly, which will allow new domestic and international competitors to emerge. Since June, 50 operators have applied for licenses, with most applicants being international or foreign gambling firms.
Industry consultant Jari Vähänen, a former senior executive at Veikkaus, estimated that the overall business could be valued at approximately €4.5 billion ($5.24 billion) following these changes in the gambling landscape.
Armes comes to Veikkaus with a rich background in gaming technology, having previously held a role at High5Games, where he managed technology and operational delivery across both B2B and B2C sectors. His professional history also includes senior technological leadership positions at Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) and Scientific Games Digital, where he notably led the integration process after Scientific Games acquired NYX Gaming Group.
Expressing enthusiasm for his new role, Armes said, "I am excited to join Veikkaus, an ambitious and forward-looking company entering a crucial new phase." He highlighted his commitment to supporting the organization’s technology-driven growth and providing competitive, scalable, and safe digital platforms for players.
In addition to Armes’ appointment, Ari Aarnihuhta will transition from his long-standing position at Veikkaus to an executive advisor role. Sarekoski expressed appreciation for Aarnihuhta’s significant contributions to the company in a formal statement.
