Veikkaus Begins Search for New CFO as Regina Sippel Departs
Sippel has stepped down after serving as CFO and a member of the company’s executive team since September 2019.
Finland’s state-owned gaming and lottery operator Veikkaus is searching for a new chief financial officer following the departure of Regina Sippel.
Sippel has stepped down after serving as CFO and a member of the company’s executive team since September 2019. She will be replaced on an interim basis by Pessi Palomäki, who joined Veikkaus in December as vice president of group reporting.
“I would like to thank Regina for the energy and enthusiasm she has shared with us,” said Veikkaus CEO Olli Sarekoski. “Her positive attitude, even in the most challenging situations, has inspired us and helped us move forward.”
Commenting on her departure, Sippel said:
“I am grateful for the trust and all we have built together. I wish Veikkaus and everyone working at the company success in the future.”
The leadership change comes as Finland prepares for a major transformation of its gambling market. Veikkaus’ exclusive right to offer sports betting and online casino gaming in the country is set to end next year as part of Finland’s new re-regulated framework.
Under the upcoming system, sports betting, online casino, online bingo and online slot games will transition to a multi-licensing model, opening the market to international operators. Veikkaus will retain exclusive rights to lottery games, scratch cards and physical gaming machines and casinos, while also having the option to apply for a licence to compete in the newly regulated sports betting and iGaming market.
The B2C licensing window officially opened on 1 March, with approved operators expected to enter the Finnish market from 1 July 2027. In parallel, Finland will introduce a B2B licensing regime, with applications opening on 1 July 2027. From 1 July 2028, B2C licence holders will only be permitted to work with suppliers that hold a Finnish B2B licence.
