Finland’s Veikkaus Appoints Ilkka Kosola as CFO

Veikkaus, Finland’s government-owned gaming operator, announced a new addition to its C-suite. According to the company’s latest announcement, the experienced Ilkka Kosola will be joining it as its new chief financial officer (CFO), as well as a member of the executive management team.

Kosola Is a Finance Expert with an Impressive Track Record

On May 4, 2026, Veikkaus announced that Kosola has been named as its new CFO and member of the executive management team. The Finnish company added that he will officially step into the office by the end of September 2026.

In its release, Veikkaus explained that the appointment aligns with its 2030 strategy. It comes as Finland’s gaming sector undergoes regulatory changes and prepares for the shift toward a multi-license gaming framework.

As Veikkaus prepares to face competition from newcomers to the market, Kosola will leverage his extensive experience to ensure the company’s long-term success. According to the announcement, Kosola is an experienced finance expert who has previously served in demanding financial management positions and boasts a strong track record of “leading successful strategic projects and transformations.”

Prior to joining Veikkaus, Kosola served as group CFO of Reaktor. Before that, he served as group CFO of Adven Group. Kosola’s prior experience includes a variety of senior finance-related roles at the likes of TietoEvery, Basware and Fortum.  

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

Olli Sarekoski, Veikkaus’ chief executive officer and president, commented on the appointment, saying that he was excited to welcome Kosola to the Veikkaus fold. Sarekoski lauded the appointee’s profound experience in finance and IT, saying that this made him an “excellent fit” for Veikkaus as Finland’s shift toward a license-based framework looms.

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 commented on his appointment, revealing that he was thrilled to join the Veikkaus team. He added that he is looking forward to supporting the business of the “iconic Finnish company” as it prepares to enter a new chapter for 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 news, Helsinki officials reportedly eyed a possible stock market listing of Veikkaus if the company proves that it can stand on its own in a competitive environment.