Ilkka Kosola Named CFO of Finland’s Veikkaus

Veikkaus Welcomes New CFO Ilkka Kosola

Finland’s state-owned gaming operator, Veikkaus, has announced the appointment of Ilkka Kosola as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Kosola will also join the company’s executive management team, taking on a key leadership role as Veikkaus adapts to upcoming industry changes.

A Finance Veteran with Proven Success

Veikkaus revealed on May 4, 2026, that Ilkka Kosola will officially begin his duties as CFO toward the end of September 2026. His appointment supports Veikkaus’s strategic plan for 2030, which aims to navigate Finland’s transitioning gaming market amid regulatory reforms and the introduction of a multi-license system.

Kosola brings a wealth of financial leadership experience to Veikkaus. He has led significant strategic projects and organizational transformations throughout his career. Before joining Veikkaus, Kosola was the group CFO at Reaktor and previously served as CFO of the Adven Group. His background also includes senior finance roles at companies such as TietoEvery, Basware, and Fortum.

CEO Praises Kosola’s Expertise and Fit

Olli Sarekoski, the CEO and President of Veikkaus, expressed enthusiasm about Kosola’s addition to the leadership team. Sarekoski highlighted Kosola’s strong background in both finance and information technology as a perfect match for Veikkaus’s future needs, especially as the Finnish gaming industry prepares for a new licensed market structure.

“We are confident that his 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, CEO of Veikkaus

Kosola also shared his excitement about the role, describing Veikkaus as an iconic Finnish company at a critical juncture. He looks forward to contributing his expertise to support its evolution and success in the changing gaming landscape.

“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 of Veikkaus

Future Prospects for Veikkaus

Additionally, there are discussions among Helsinki officials about the possibility of Veikkaus pursuing a stock market listing, contingent on its ability to compete successfully in the evolving gaming sector.