Gambling is considered “mostly” illegal here. It’s unfair but not entirely out of the picture for Norwegian citizens. It’s partially out of the question for Norwegians.
All gambling options in Norway must have measures to prevent problem gambling. This will help avoid financial difficulties and stop private companies from profiting. It is a bizarre situation.
According to the government and other relevant authorities, their strict laws allow everyone to gamble responsibly. The number of gamblers in Norway is increasing – it’s the third-largest European country.
It’s crucial to know what you can and can’t do if you plan to travel to Norway. With this in mind, here are five essential facts about gambling laws in Norway.
1. The Gambling Laws have created a monopoly
Many casinos compete for your business in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. Norsk Rikstoto (or Norsk Tipping) controls the entire industry in Norway.
Norsk Rikstoto oversees horse racing. Norsk Tipping manages sports betting, lottery, and keno. The state owns these companies, and the Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs sets their rules of play, service times, and other details.
2. Foreign Businesses Can’t Get Involved
You can host your private party under the Norweigan gambling laws, provided it is not for profit. However, Norsk Tipping offers the best options if you wish to play real money games.
The state is determined to control all gambling-related activities and prevent any interference from outside parties. Even though the European Union condemned these actions, they have taken measures to prevent foreign businesses from entering this sector.
It is no surprise that banking is one of the multiple critical sectors in the economy today. A 2010 law, for example, prohibited banks from dealing with gambling-related funds. This shows how far the government will go for control.
3. Norway bans slots
Slots’ position will surely please your tastebuds if you find any of the above interesting. This is best explained with a brief history lesson. Although the 1995 Lottery Act allowed players to play slots for real money then, it didn’t anticipate the rapid expansion of Online Gambling.
In 2004, slot machines generated over NOK26 billion in revenue. Slots generated NOK200m in revenue ten years before the Lottery Act was created.
The original Lottery Act stated that only charitable organizations could offer slots to players. The law did not mention private firms providing slot machines to philanthropic organizations or taking a portion of the profits. The state could see the truth and passed laws to regain control, especially on slot machines.
The first attempt was in 2003. It ended in a legal battle against the slot companies. This ultimately failed, and it was not written into Norwegian law. However, they prevailed a few years later when they banned slot machines and replaced them with their own.
However, things went differently than planned. Video terminals, the state’s version of video slots, were rare with Norwegians. They were more challenging to use than the slots and weren’t nearly as appealing.
Technically speaking, the laws that ban slot machines in Norway remain unchanged. The rules used to ban Gambling in Norway didn’t anticipate the rapid growth of online gaming. This leads to the next point.
4. The laws do not cover online Gambling
Norway’s online gambling laws may be strict, but not enough to protect online gaming. People flock to online casinos such as Slots of Vegas or Slots LV.
The country is aware of the need for effective laws because Norwegians use offshore sites. It’s clear why authorities want to pass such laws, as there are no casinos on the ground in Norway.
According to reports, 80% of those who play sports betting or casino games in Norway go online. Norsk Tipping, responsible for casino gaming, understands the importance of keeping players inshore. They offer progressive jackpots and other games as a response.
As of now, it is not having an impact on player numbers. Citizens know they will have a better experience on an offshore site. They can also enjoy larger prize pools and more games.
5. Norway allows legal Gambling
Although the above points might suggest otherwise, legal Gambling in Norway is still possible. You can either play at Norsk Tipping or through a licensed offshore casino if you accept Norwegian players.
You should ensure that the license of any offshore website you use is valid. It would be best if you verified that the site offers Norwegian services and allows you to play in NOK. They also have a strong customer support network. After you’ve found them to be a safe place to play, you can legally play your favorite games.
While the government can’t control who registers for an offshore site, all players must comply with specific gambling requirements:
- Gambling winnings should be declared and taxed
- To gamble, players must be at least 18 years old. There is no age limit for scratchcards.
- Advertisement of products and services by foreign firms is not permitted.
- Norwegian gambling companies that do business abroad cannot advertise their products or services on radio, TV, or in magazines.