Finland’s state-owned gambling monopoly Veikkaus, which will soon end that status and become one operator in a free market, is discussing restructuring that could impact all 825 of its employees, 240 of whom will likely lose their jobs, YLE News reported.
The company said in a statement that 195 employees would see “significant changes” to their employment.
Meanwhile the new governing coalition has announced more plans to reform the gambling sector, by creating a free market. It hopes to operate it by January 2026.
According to a statement: “The aim of the reform is to prevent and reduce economic, social and health-related harm resulting from gambling and to improve the channeling rate of the gambling system.”
The statement added that Veikkaus proposes to divide its digital gaming business from its brick and mortar slot machine business and lottery business.
CEO Olli Sarekoski said, “We want to be competitive in the future licensing market and vibrant in the monopoly market. Therefore, we need changes in our operations that apply to the whole company.”
He added that the company will reduce its venues from 65 to 40 or 50.
