Hippos ATG has appointed former Betsson executive Jussi Nurmi as chief operating officer, the company said. Nurmi joins ahead of the joint venture’s planned Finnish market launch in 2027; he most recently served as commercial strategy director for Betsson’s Tonybet brand.
Jussi Nurmi’s appointment adds an experienced executive ahead of Hippos ATG’s planned Finnish market launch.
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Twenty-four online operators have applied for Finnish licences ahead of the commercial online casino market’s planned launch on 1 July 2027, according to official data cited in the report. Finland passed legislation last year to end Veikkaus’ monopoly, while rules on advertising and responsible gambling remain to be clarified.
Finland opened applications for licences to operate virtual games, with the market launch planned for July 2027, according to the report. Hippos ATG Oy submitted an application, and the National Police Board is overseeing the initial phase; processing is estimated to take three to six months, followed by technical integration.
Veikkaus announced Ilkka Kosola’s appointment as chief financial officer and executive management team member on 4 May 2026. The company said he will take up the role by the end of September 2026, ahead of Finland’s planned move towards a multi-licence framework.
Hippos ATG has appointed Pekka Kaidesoja as head of content, the company said. Chief executive Mikael Bäcke said Kaidesoja’s experience in sports broadcasting, content production and horse racing would support content for the Finnish market. Hippos ATG plans to offer betting and online casino in Finland when the re-regulated market opens in July 2027.
Hippos ATG, the joint venture of Sweden's ATG and Suomen Hippos, said it has secured a five-year online gambling licence ahead of Finland's regulated market launch on 1 July 2027. It is the second operator to confirm a licence after Wildz group. Finland's National Police Board has not publicly disclosed any application outcomes.
Hippos ATG, the joint venture of Sweden's ATG and Finnish horse racing body Suomen Hippos, said it has received a gambling licence ahead of Finland's regulated online gambling market launch, according to an approval the company shared on social media. The licence is valid for five years. The company is the second operator to confirm receipt of a licence, after Malta-based Wildz Group. Finland's National Police Board has not publicly disclosed the outcome of any licence applications.