Norway Tightens Gambling Laws, Targets Unauthorized Operators

The Norwegian administration has presented a fresh gambling legislation that pledges stricter penalties against unauthorized operators and their promotional partnerships.

The legislation will unify the nation’s current lottery, wagering, and gambling regulations, while retaining the market monopoly of Norsk Tipping and Rikstoto through a “reinforced exclusive rights framework.”

This will be accomplished, in part, by levying fines on any other operators endeavoring to provide gambling services in Norway.

The legislation was initially proposed in June 2020, and the government informed the European Commission of the proposition in August of that year.

Culture and Gender Equality Minister Abid Raja stated that the legislation will specifically target operators providing gambling services in Norway without a permit.

“I am delighted to finally be able to submit the new gambling legislation, which is a significant step in the government’s efforts to prevent gambling issues and ensure responsible gambling.

“We are weary of foreign gambling enterprises that disregard Norwegian law and fail to take appropriate accountability measures.”

This fresh legislation grants the Norwegian Lottery Authority enhanced capabilities to identify, handle, and penalize illicit activities.

The new law, initially met with criticism from certain segments of the Norwegian gambling sector due to its continuation of the monopoly framework, forbids gambling promotions without a Norwegian license. The government asserts that this prohibition applies not only to operators but also to those who “suggest” customers, such as affiliate firms.

The government stated: “Breaches of the prohibition will be subject to penalties.”

Furthermore, promoting gambling to minors will constitute a criminal offense, and the use of credit cards for gambling will be entirely prohibited to encourage responsible gaming practices.

Any operator must also implement accountability measures, and any marketing directed at self-excluded gamblers will be a criminal offense. Marketing must also “not exceed what is necessary to attract players to participate in legal gambling activities.”

Raja added: “The gambling scene in Norway is undergoing a transformation. The government has been deliberately developing gambling policy for an extended period, and it is yielding results.

“Foreign gambling companies and their payment intermediaries are withdrawing from the Norwegian market, their revenue is declining, and advertising is no longer as readily available as it once was.”

Sign up for the iGaming newsletter.