Arctic Wonders

About Arctic Wonders

Former Scientific Games veteran Chris Armes was appointed as the new executive VP of Gaming Technologies in early August. Armes is set to take up his new role in the autumn of 2026, leading Veikkaus’ technology organisation from its Helsinki headquarters. 

In July last year, Veikkaus iGaming EVP Jarkko Nordlund told iGB: “The competition will be fierce when the market opens, so we must be very competitive. Our aim is to challenge the mentality of our current position, so we need to secure market leadership.” 

According to its interim report for the first half of 2026, released this week, Veikkaus reported a 1% yearly increase in sales revenue of €471.3 million ($546.8 million).

How to play Arctic Wonders

U.S. News reported that only 17% conceded sports betting is negatively affecting their financial health. By contrast, twice as many respondents (34%) claimed gambling on professional and college sports has had a positive impact on their finances. About half (49%) reported that sports betting has not impacted their bank accounts either way.

Some respondents, however, shared severe personal consequences.

I have lost money that was going to be used for my kids’ Christmas presents,” said one respondent. “It led to stress with my wife after having to borrow from her parents to make up that money.”

What is Arctic Wonders?

Fantini points to land-based examples like Red Rock Resorts and Monarch Casino as companies that can still attract capital because they offer sensible growth and strong management. That is a telling comparison with the industry’s recent past.

London’s problems are real. Entain’s removal from the FTSE 100 and Flutter’s move away from its London primary listing are evidence of that. But Flutter’s experience in New York shows that changing the listing does not remove the pressure.

The deeper change is global.