Åland-Based Gaming Company Paf Becomes Main Partner of the Finnish Ski Association – One of the Most Significant Sponsorship Agreements in the Association’s History

The Finnish Ski Association and the Åland-based gaming company Paf (Ålands Penningautomatförening) have signed a long-term partnership agreement extending through 2030. Paf will become the official main partner of the Finnish Ski Association when the new Finnish licensing system enters into force, provided that Paf is granted a licence.

“This new partnership with Paf, a domestic company with a strong set of shared values, is of great importance to us and it provides a solid foundation for long-term development. Financially, it is one of the most significant sponsorship agreements in the history of the Finnish Ski Association,” says Marleena Valtasola, Executive Director of the Finnish Ski Association.

National teams and FIS World Cup events

The agreement covers the national A-teams in cross-country skiing, nordic combined, and ski jumping, as well as the U23 and U20 national teams in cross-country skiing. In addition, Paf will be an official partner of the FIS World Cup events in Ruka and Lahti, as well as the Finnish Cup in cross-country skiing. The partnership will be implemented through concrete actions in line with the upcoming reform of Finland’s gambling legislation.

“Our new strategy clearly defines us as a high-performance sports organization, with success measured by the achievements of our athletes and stakeholders. In addition to domesticity and responsibility, a key value of this agreement is that it includes all our disciplines, the World Cup events in Ruka and Lahti, and the Finnish Cup. The long-term nature of the agreement enables us to build impactful cooperation over time,” says Marleena Valtasola.

Skiing is important to Finns

In recent years, Paf has experienced strong growth and is particularly recognized for its leadership in responsible gaming. Founded in 1966 by Save the Children, the Finnish Red Cross, and the public health organization Folkhälsan, Paf’s mission is to generate funds for the benefit of society. The company’s ambition is to become the most responsible gaming operator in the world.

“We are truly excited about this new main partnership with the Finnish Ski Association. The disciplines governed by the association are a major part of Finnish identity and deeply valued by the public, both as hobbies and as elite sports. From the perspectives of brand visibility and recognition, cross-country skiing, nordic combined and ski jumping are highly important to us. Our shared values provide an excellent foundation for building a long-lasting and successful collaboration. We aim to lead the industry in responsible gaming,” says Thomas Näsman, Manager at Paf.

According to the proposed new gaming legislation, Veikkaus’ monopoly on online betting, bingo and casino games is set to end by the end of 2026. These markets are intended to open up to competition. Gaming operators would be able to apply for licences from early 2026, with licensed services expected to launch at the beginning of 2027.