CCO Special: Hippos ATG Oy appoints Antti Koivula and Joonas Saha
The newly formed gambling venture continues to create its executive team.
Key points:
– Joonas Saha has been named as Chief Commercial Officer
– Antti Koivula will join as Chief Compliance Officer
– The company hopes to launch alongside the regulated market in 2027
Hippos ATG Oy has appointed Joonas Saha as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) and Antti Koivula as Chief Compliance Officer.
The company is a joint venture between Hippos Finland and ATG that hopes to offer online casino, sports betting and horseracing products.
Hippos ATG Oy is one of the companies looking to launch in Finland after the gambling monopoly ends and the new licensing model launches from January 2027.
Mikael Bäcke, Hippos ATG Oy CEO, said: “We are very happy that Saha and Koivula are joining our new company in Finland.
“They both bring valuable experience and knowledge that strengthens our business. Their expertise and commitment are an important addition to our further work.”
Bäcke is also a recent addition to the company, being appointed a few months ago.
Saha has experience in the media and telecommunications industry, previously founding and becoming CEO of Optimaali Online Oy and working for Elisa for over a decade.
He also has an active interest in sports, with nine years as a semi-professional linesman for the Finnish Hockey League under his belt.
Koivula spent 12 years as a professional bettor focusing on Finnish football before becoming a Legal Advisor for Legal Gaming Attorneys at Law.
Good to know: Company revenue will be split 60% for Hippos and 40% for ATG
He has previously worked with the National Bureau of Investigation on match-fixing investigations and is knowledgeable about compliance matters in Finnish sports.
On his appointment, Koivula said: “Hippos ATG is now taking its first steps towards building a modern, responsible, and competitive presence in Finland’s upcoming regulated gaming market. I’m excited to be part of this important journey and to help lay the foundation for long-term success.
“In my role, I will focus on ensuring that our compliance framework is best-in-class, enabling operational excellence while upholding our shared values of transparency, responsibility, and innovation. I look forward to working alongside these exceptional professionals to create a positive and lasting impact in our industry.”
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