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Veikkaus’ digital gaming market share increased by 3 percentage points
2023 was a successful year for Veikkaus’ digital channel initiatives, and the company’s overall result was in line with its target. 180,000 new people registered as Veikkaus customers, and Veikkaus’ customer base now totals over 2.5 million registered customers.
Digital gaming grew by 4.5 percentage points and totalled nearly 55% of Veikkaus’ gross gaming revenue. Veikkaus channelled its development investments particularly into its digital channel, where the games created by Veikkaus’ own gaming studio also accounted for a large share of the gross gaming revenue generated by the company’s online casino, eArpa service, and other offerings. In addition, preparations were made during the year to ensure that Veikkaus would be ready for the customer registration requirement that will apply to all of its games from the beginning of 2024. Veikkaus is also the first gaming company in the world to require its customers to register when purchasing or redeeming physical scratch cards and lottery tickets, to ensure a safer gambling environment for all.
Veikkaus in 2023:
- The Veikkaus Group’s actual sales revenue in 2023 totalled EUR 1,033.1 million (-3.5% compared to 2022). The actual sales revenue includes the gross gaming revenue from gambling activities and turnover from other business activities.
- Veikkaus Group’s profit for the fiscal year was EUR 578.5 million (-13.7 %) while operating profit was EUR 573.6 million (-14.5 %). The decline in the result was due to an increase in the lottery tax, one time cost entries made as a result of the cooperation negotiations in the autumn, and significant investments in the Group’s future.
- The financial profit of parent company Veikkaus Oy for 2023 was EUR 585.0 million (-14.0%), and the operating profit was EUR 580.2 million (-14.7%). Veikkaus’ gross gaming revenue totalled EUR 1,032.0 million (-3.6 %). The decline was partly the result of Veikkaus’ responsibility measure, i.e. the identification requirement for physical ticket-based game players that came into force in May 2023.
- The lottery tax paid to the central government on gross gaming revenue increased by 1.6 percentage points from the previous year’s figure of 3.4%, amounting to 5% for the fiscal year. In 2023, Veikkaus Oy paid EUR 51.7 million in lottery tax, which is EUR 15.4 million more than the previous year.
- In 2023, authenticated gambling accounted for 90.6% (+11.1 percentage points) of Veikkaus’ domestic gambling activities. From 1 January 2024, all Veikkaus games can only be played by registered customers, who must identify themselves every time they play.
- At the end of 2023, Veikkaus had approximately 2,520,000 registered customers. The number of registered customers increased by approximately 180,000 (+8.0 %) during the year.
The long-running trend of gambling shifting to the digital channel continued in 2023, and 54.8% of gross gaming revenue from Veikkaus’ consumer-oriented gambling activities was derived from the digital channel (+4.5 percentage points). According to the estimate of H2 Gambling Capital, Veikkaus accounted for around 54% (+3 percentage points) of the Finnish digital gambling market for the year.
– Veikkaus’ profits and performance in 2023 were as expected, and we can be satisfied with these as a whole. The year was particularly successful for our online games, and Veikkaus will continue to deepen its development investments in its digital channel, says Veikkaus CFO Regina Sippel.
In terms of gross gaming revenue, the most successful of Veikkaus’ game groups was its online casino (digital automated games and digital table games), whose gross gaming revenue totalled EUR 184.0 million (+6.1%). This growth was particularly boosted by the company’s successful game releases.
Veikkaus’ most-played games were Eurojackpot and Lotto. The gross gaming revenue for Eurojackpot, which is drawn twice a week, was EUR 151.1 million (+0.0%). During the year under review, Lotto’s gross gaming revenue amounted to EUR 136.5 million (-8.9%).
2023 was the last year when Veikkaus Oy’s profit was settled to any beneficiary ministries. Beginning from 2024, Veikkaus Oy’s revenues will be directed to the state budget without any pre-defined beneficiaries.
All games to be covered by the identification requirement
Veikkaus began mandating the registration of players as Veikkaus customers for ticket-based games in mid-May. The impacts of the identification requirement on gaming have been as expected. Veikkaus also made preparations for the identification requirement for scratch card games, which entered into force on 1 January 2024 and meant that all Veikkaus games now require identification.
– Today, all of our games, including all physical scratch cards, are subject to the identification requirement. This means that we have become a worldwide pioneer in ensuring the responsibility of our gambling operations, says Susanna Saikkonen, Vice President for Sustainability at Veikkaus.
The identification of players enables a safer gambling environment where customers can be offered various services, such as loss and money transfer limits, and the possibility of self-exclusion of all games. The data obtained through identified gaming activities can also be used to prevent and reduce the harms of gambling.
– Using the data, we can analyse our players’ gambling habits and identify the signs of high-risk gambling. In 2023, our gambling harm prediction system helped us make over 3,700 calls to at-risk players, and we also introduced an automation-based care and communication model for high-risk level customers. In particular, we found that advance messages about calls, attempted calls, and the discussions that took place had a clear impact on the number of customers who decided to set a self-exclusion for themselves, Saikkonen explains.
From the perspective of preventing gambling problems, it will be vital to have other gambling companies operating in Finland follow Veikkaus’ example in complying with the same responsibility rules. The Government Programme states that Finland intends to introduce a partial multi-licence system at the beginning of 2026. It will be important to keep to the schedule that has been set. The new system will allow for the necessary tools and measures for preventing gambling problems. Every extra day in an environment without common rules is a day too late.
Veikkaus subsidiary Fennica Gaming expanded rapidly
During the year, the objective of Veikkaus subsidiary Fennica Gaming, which focuses on Veikkaus’ international business-to-business operations, was to expand the eArpa service to new markets, which it performed successfully. In 2023, the company delivered games to three continents and eight state-owned gaming companies. By the end of the year, Finnish online lotteries were available in the Nordic countries, the Baltic States, Central Europe, and America.
– Fennica Gaming’s corporate customers have been very satisfied with the quality of our games as well as Fennica Gaming’s service level, expertise, and the reliability of our deliveries. With these new markets, we have learned a lot about how we can best add value to our corporate customers’ business activities. We believe that our rapid expansion will also continue in 2024, says Timo Kiiskinen, CEO of Fennica Gaming.
The League of Ireland has announced the rollout of an educational programme to proactively lead on the prevention of gambling harm in Irish football – a first-of-its-kind initiative for League of Ireland clubs.
EPIC Global Solutions – an award-winning consultancy currently working with several other major sporting bodies globally – will lead the sessions, which begin later this month.
Endorsed by the FAI, National League Committee and the Professional Footballers Association of Ireland (PFA Ireland) the programme will also see coaches, match officials and FAI staff receive this vital training.
Former professional footballers and athletes, who have personally experienced gambling harm in the past, will conduct the in-person sessions.
They include ex-EFL footballer Marc Williams, Scott Davies, who played for Ireland U21s and is now a player-manager at Slough Town & former Premier League star and Scotland international Dominic Matteo.
As part of the project, EPIC will also facilitate the delivery of UEFA standard betting integrity training in accordance with FAI rules.
The programme is funded by Flutter who supported EPIC’s launch of the world’s first gambling harm prevention programme in professional football eight years ago.
In 2017, EPIC launched the world’s first gambling harm prevention programme in professional football in partnership with Sky Bet (part of the Flutter family of brands) and the EFL. This collaboration had the goal of increasing preventative education and reducing harm and stigma in the game. Now in its eighth year, the programme’s impact is being positively felt by players, coaches, and youth academies, with more than 10,200 attendees since its inception. This remains the largest and most penetrative programme of its kind ever undertaken in European sport.
Today’s announcement means seventy individual workshops will be held for 32 Senior Teams (20 men’s and 12 women’s), 26 Academies, and 10 Women’s Development League teams at training facilities across Ireland with additional 2 sessions for FAI staff and League of Ireland Match Officials – reaching over 2,000 participants annually.
Breakdown of 70 sessions per annum at a glance:
- 32 sessions to senior LOI teams (20 Men’s & 12 Women’s)
- 26 sessions to LOI Academy clubs (U17s Men’s & Women’s)
- 10 sessions to Women’s Development League senior teams
- 1 session to League of Ireland Match Officials
- 1 session to FAI staff
League of Ireland director Mark Scanlon said: “As the League of Ireland grows each year, it is very important to work with all stakeholders including our players and match officials at the centre of the game to stress the importance of integrity at all levels.
“This partnership with EPIC also means we can also look to prevent potential gambling harm amongst our players.
“We know the vast majority of people gamble without an issue. But the seminars at our Academy clubs will be hugely beneficial and educate for the next generation of Irish footballers. We have seen the work that EPIC is doing with the English Football League and it’s having a measurable impact. We look forward to seeing that replicated in the League of Ireland.”
Speaking on behalf of the Professional Footballers Association, the union representing players, general secretary, Stephen McGuiness said: “This three-year partnership with EPIC and the League of Ireland is about safeguarding the future of our game. By delivering gambling awareness training to both male and female players at senior and academy level, we are ensuring that education and support reaches every player, regardless of where they are in their career.
“EPIC has an excellent reputation and a proven track record working with player organisations in Ireland, which gives us confidence in the quality and impact of this programme. We also look forward to former PFA Ireland members sharing their personal stories of how harmful gambling has affected their lives, bringing a powerful and relatable perspective to the training. Protecting player wellbeing and helping them make informed choices is a responsibility we take seriously and this initiative reflects our commitment to caring for players in the league of Ireland.”
Paul Buck, CEO of EPIC said: “Following the success of similar initiatives we’ve delivered in elite sport, this prevention-based programme looks to empower players to recognise the signs of gambling harm, be more informed about their relationship with betting and better equipped to understand pathways to support.
“More significantly, the message is conveyed powerfully and with real meaning by individuals whom players are likely to respect – former footballers and athletes sharing their individual experiences in face-to-face sessions. They have encountered problems, and they simply did not have the same opportunity or education around prevention that we are now in a fortunate position to provide for the league. We are really pleased to be able to bring this training to Irish players.”
Kevin Harrington, CEO of Flutter added: “As a major betting operator, we pride ourselves in leading the industry on safety and trust, and we take our responsibilities around protecting our customers and the integrity of sport seriously.
“As a global company founded in Ireland, we are incredibly proud to fund this independently provided three-year programme, supporting the League’s commitment to proactive prevention and education.”
The post League of Ireland to kick-off new gambling awareness programme for footballers appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
HIPTHER is thrilled to reveal Lex Legas as a Strategic Partner for the HIPTHER Baltics conference series, which includes Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn. The collaboration incorporates LexLegas’s extensive knowledge in cross-border regulation, compliance, and high-risk legal structures into the targeted Baltic series.
Updated Date for Riga – Baltic Tech Week
The date for the Riga conference has been officially updated to 11 May 2026 (instead of the previously stated 12 May). The conference will remain the inaugural event of Baltic Tech Week in Riga.
After a robust debut set for 21 April 2026 in Vilnius, and prior to the Tallinn edition later in the series, HIPTHER Baltics: Riga strengthens HIPTHER’s dedication to locally anchored, high-quality discussions throughout the Baltic region, uniting regulatory, legal, fintech, and gaming participants around the most significant issues.
A Tactical Alignment: Lex Legas
Lex Legas is a specialized legal consultancy and research-oriented legal brand focusing on iGaming, fintech, payments, AML/CTF, and international regulatory frameworks, emphasizing Baltic, EU, and high-risk regions.
Integrating practical legal experience with regulatory investigation and strategic guidance, Lex Legas collaborates closely with operators, payment processors, software vendors, and international advisors engaged in regulated and semi-regulated sectors. Their expertise spans:
- iGaming & betting regulation (EU & non-EU jurisdictions)
- AML/CTF frameworks, risk assessments, and compliance structuring
- Payment solutions, PSP integrations, and fintech regulatory analysis
- Licensing, corporate structuring, and operational legal support
- Regulatory trends, enforcement practices, and supervisory expectations
- Cross-border legal risk management for high-risk business models
“At Lex Legas, we work daily at the intersection of regulation, technology, and high-risk business models, exactly where today’s iGaming, fintech, and payments industries are being shaped.
HIPTHER Baltics stands out as a rare platform that goes beyond surface-level discussions and creates space for real, jurisdiction-specific conversations around compliance, licensing, player protection, and operational risk.
Partnering with HIPTHER for the Baltics series feels like a natural extension of our mission: translating complex regulatory frameworks into practical, business-ready solutions. We’re excited to contribute our research-driven perspective and hands-on experience to the dialogue in Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn, and to help shape meaningful cross-border discussions across the region in 2026” – The Legal Experts of “Lex Legas” Team
HIPTHER Baltics 2026 – Three Capitals, One Vision
The HIPTHER Baltics series brings HIPTHER’s signature focus on regulation, compliance, fintech, and innovation to the heart of the Baltic region through three targeted, one-day conferences each hosted in a Baltic capital and built around locally-relevant themes with regional and cross-border impact.
“HIPTHER Baltics is built as a focused conference series for the region — not just a one-off event. From Vilnius to Riga and Tallinn, our goal is to create a high-level platform where regulators, legal experts, fintech leaders, and gaming stakeholders can connect around the real topics shaping the market: compliance, licensing, payments, player protection, and cross-border operations.
That’s why partnering with Lex Legas feels like a perfect match. Their research-driven approach and hands-on expertise in iGaming, fintech, and regulatory frameworks across the Baltics and beyond brings exactly the depth and clarity we want to deliver through the entire series. We’re proud to welcome them as a Strategic Partner and look forward to building meaningful, practical conversations together in 2026.” — Zoltan “Hawkie” Tundik, Co-Founder & Head of Business, HIPTHER
More information & tickets: https://hipther.com/events/baltics/
The post HIPTHER Baltics Announces Riga Event and Strategic Partnership with LexLegas appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Are you ready for Monopoly Rush Hour? Mr Monopoly is back and revving up the roads in the latest release from Big Time Gaming.
Monopoly Rush Hour will go live exclusively with Gamesys brands on 19 January, before going on global release on 03 February 2026.
Monopoly Rush Hour sees players step into the fast lane, where each spin begins with each Token starting on the four corners of the board while Houses and Hotels are randomly distributed across the board.
Every Token can randomly boost its Multipliers up to a massive 500x.
Tokens spring into action wherever dice symbols appear on the Hat, Boat, Car or Dog – the dice roll determines how far each Token moves and for every three spaces travelled, the Token’s Multiplier climbs by +1.
If a Token lands on a space with a House or a Hotel, players win a Prize – these are Multiplied by the stake and the Tokens Multiplier.
This being Monopoly, there are Chance and Community Chest Card Bonuses in play. If as Token lands on either, one of the following outcomes is revealed:
- Move to a random position
- Move three spaces forward
- Move three spaces backward
- Award a Prize Bonus (multiplied by the Token’s multiplier)
- Trigger Free Spins
With the Free Spins, players get an initial 12 Free Games plus six Extra Spins for every additional trigger. During Free Spins, Token positions and Multipliers persist, keeping the momentum building.
Hit the Water Works or the Electric Company and players scoop up an Instant Prize worth the Token Multiplier times the stake. Landing on Train Stations means retriggers, awarding 1, 3, 7 or 15 Extra Spins when 1, 2, 3 or 4 Tokens land there.
During Free Spins, Tokens that land on Chance or Community Chest reveal cards with one of three powerful Boosts. This includes:
- Advance 2-12 spaces ahead
- Increase the Multiplier meter by 2-12 steps
- Add 2-12 Houses to the board
What’s more, when every property is upgraded to a Hotel, the excitement peaks as each Token’s Multiplier gets a huge +50 to +250 boost.
If players want to supercharge the action, they can tap the Power Play icon – this guarantees a dice roll and costs 8x the stake. For those who can’t wait to pass GO, tap the Bonus Buy icon and head straight to 12 Free Spins for 110x the stake.
Nik Robinson, CEO of Big Time Gaming, said: “Monopoly Rush Hour is our latest Monopoly branded game, offering high speed action with plenty of Multipliers, Free Spins and big wins on the board.
“We are thrilled to see players at Gamesys casinos be the first to step onto the board ahead of the game’s global general release.
“This is a true Big Time Gaming slot – a big brand combined with striking visuals, compelling game play, extreme volatility and massive win potential.”
The post BTG’s Monopoly Rush Hour gets exclusive Gamesys launch ahead of global release appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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