Veikkaus, Finland’s state-owned playing operator, has introduced the appointment of Jyri Lassi as its new Common Counsel. Efficient from September 1, 2025, Lassi will exchange Hanna Kyrki, who’s departing for a brand new position at Summa Defence. Lassi’s appointment comes at an important second for Veikkaus, as Finland prepares to transition from a playing monopoly to a multi-license market. This modification, scheduled for 2026, will open the door for different corporations to use for licenses for sports activities betting and on-line casinos in Finland, difficult Veikkaus’ long-standing monopoly.
A strategic appointment to navigate authorized challenges:
Lassi brings in depth expertise in authorized and compliance roles throughout internationally working corporations. Most not too long ago, he served because the Chief Authorized Officer at Virta International, an organization specializing in electrical car charging companies, the place he led authorized operations beginning in 2022. His prior expertise consists of vital management roles reminiscent of Common Counsel at Varjo Applied sciences, a digital actuality {hardware} producer, and Vice President of Authorized at PayPal. His authorized profession additionally features a tenure at Nokia, the place he spent over eight years managing authorized affairs.
Veikkaus CEO Olli Sarekoski expressed confidence in Lassi’s potential to information the corporate via the challenges of the altering playing panorama. “Jyri Lassi has very various work expertise in accountable and difficult authorized positions in internationally working corporations. I’m satisfied that along with his experience, we are going to transfer ahead in a decided and managed method within the altering working setting of the playing trade,” Sarekoski stated.
Lassi’s appointment comes as Veikkaus faces the dissolution of its monopoly standing in Finland. By 2026, Finland will introduce a multi-license system, permitting different playing operators to enter the market, together with these providing sports activities betting and on-line on line casino companies. This shift represents a big transformation for Veikkaus, which has lengthy held a dominant place within the nation’s playing sector.
In response to those adjustments, Lassi emphasised the alternatives that the evolving market presents. “Veikkaus is in an attention-grabbing scenario as its monopoly place in Finland is being dissolved. The aggressive scenario gives the corporate nice alternatives to develop and turn into an much more vital participant, even internationally,” Lassi commented. “It’s a privilege to quickly be a part of that journey and to have the ability to affect Veikkaus’ new route along with different workers of the corporate.”
Veikkaus’ modernization efforts:
Lassi’s appointment aligns with Veikkaus’ ongoing efforts to modernize its operations in preparation for the upcoming market liberalization. Lately, the corporate launched a brand new sports activities betting platform powered by OpenBet, a number one expertise supplier within the trade. This platform is designed to deal with bigger volumes of sports activities betting whereas sustaining compliance with regulatory necessities. The addition of Lassi to Veikkaus’ govt crew alerts the corporate’s dedication to adapting to the more and more aggressive and dynamic playing setting.
Veikkaus can be targeted on increasing its worldwide presence, and Lassi’s various background in world corporations positions him properly to contribute to the corporate’s long-term strategic objectives. Underneath his management, Veikkaus goals to strengthen its place within the world playing market and stay aggressive because the panorama evolves.
Lassi’s appointment comes at a time when Veikkaus is navigating vital adjustments in Finland’s playing rules. Whereas the corporate prepares for the introduction of competitors in its dwelling market, Lassi sees this as a possibility for progress. “The aggressive scenario gives the corporate nice alternatives to develop and turn into an much more vital participant, even internationally,” he famous within the firm’s press launch.
As Veikkaus transitions from a state-run monopoly to a extra open and aggressive setting, Lassi’s authorized experience will likely be essential in guaranteeing the corporate’s continued success and compliance. His expertise in managing advanced authorized challenges in worldwide markets will likely be invaluable as Veikkaus seeks to boost its aggressive edge in each the Finnish and worldwide playing markets.
