Veikkaus, Finland's state-owned gaming operator, has appointed Chris Armes as the new executive vice president of Gaming Technologies, joining the executive team. This announcement, made on Monday, reflects the company's strategic shift in response to the evolving landscape of Finland's gambling sector, where market liberalization is underway.
Armes is scheduled to begin his role in the autumn of 2026, overseeing the technology organization from Veikkaus’ headquarters in Helsinki.
Veikkaus president and CEO Olli Sarekoski emphasized Armes' extensive experience in iGaming technology and his leadership in regulated international markets as pivotal to this decision. "Chris Armes’ strong commitment to responsible gaming and security aligns with our values," said Sarekoski, who noted that Armes will be crucial in enhancing customer experiences and driving technological innovation at Veikkaus.
The company aims to modernize its digital platforms and expand internationally, striving to stay competitive against an influx of private operators resulting from recent regulatory changes. Finland is moving towards liberalizing its gambling market, which will end Veikkaus' long-standing monopoly and welcome both domestic and international competitors. According to reports, around 50 operators had sought licenses by June, with most applicants being international or foreign gambling firms.
Industry consultant Jari Vähänen, a former senior executive at Veikkaus, has projected that the overall market could be valued at approximately €4.5 billion ($5.24 billion) post-liberalization.
Armes arrives with a rich background, having previously worked at High5Games, an international gaming tech supplier, where he was responsible for both B2B and B2C operational strategies. His history includes key technology leadership roles at Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) and Scientific Games Digital, where he notably spearheaded 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," stated Armes, expressing eagerness to foster technology-driven growth and deliver safe, scalable digital platforms for players.
In addition, Armes’ tenure will see Ari Aarnihuhta, a senior manager at Veikkaus for many years, move into an executive adviser role. Sarekoski acknowledged Aarnihuhta’s extensive contributions to the company in a public statement.
