Norway set to reform gambling laws

The gambling industry is rapidly growing and taking over everything. With the development of the Internet and people’s engagement in social networks, online casinos have risen in number greatly. It has even evolved during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.

Different forms of gambling in general require different management systems and many countries introduce regulations to somehow control various gambling channels. Deregulation sometimes leads to illegal gambling, therefore countries think it is better to introduce some laws, in order to control everything.

Norway is also on a path to join a list of countries where the regulatory framework of gambling is in work. According to the country’s main regulator called Lotteritilsynet regulations will bring more consistency to gambling in the country.

If we take a look at the current situation in Norway, the Scandinavian country has three legislative guides: the Lottery Act, the Gambling Act, and the Totalisator Act. This year the state also proposed changes regarding gambling regulations.

In Norway step by step, the newest casinos appear almost every month, which are known among local citizens as nyeste casinoer, and they have a lot of customers. However, the lack of regulations is sometimes a very big problem. Because of that Lotteritilsynet which we have mentioned above, wants to offer more consistent oversight of the gambling sector. You can find out more information about this topic by following this link.

At the same time, the country’s main regulator thinks that by introducing new reforms gambling will be available through legal channels and this will provide better control of the gambling industry.

Regulations also offer player protection and we are all familiar with the concept of responsible gambling. The safety of players is essential. Also, the industry will become freer.

We should note that the changes are already on the agenda of the European Commission, but are temporarily halted. However, the moratorium is expected to end on November 13.

Feature of the gambling legislation in Norway

The age limit for gambling is 18 years old. For those under this age, only scratch cards are allowed. Interestingly, citizens are allowed to host gambling parties at home – as long as it doesn’t turn into a business.

The government is systematically trying to drive foreign companies out of the Norwegian market. In June 2010, the authorities approved a law according to which all Norwegian banks are not allowed to service credit and debit cards used in land-based and online casinos around the world.

In 2004, slot machines accounted for 64% of revenue “on the ground” and 43% of revenue online. This growth was due to the fact that slots were poorly regulated by law. The Lottery Act gave only charitable organizations the right to gamble. But, at the same time, it did not forbid private companies to cooperate with these organizations, place slot machines and share the proceeds.

Since 2002, the Norwegian authorities have started to take action. They began to limit the number of slot machines, as the number of gambling problems, such as gambling addiction, increased with the growth of the industry. The Norwegian government banned slot machines entirely in 2007. In 2009, interactive video terminals appeared – a new form of slots. To play them, you need a special card.

Conclusion

Until these discussions, there was no visible improvement in the situation with the gambling business in Norway. Here they are very strict about gambling, preferring to keep them under the strictest control. Yes, the gambling business brings a lot of money, but for Norway, this is not an argument.

Recently, the Norwegian government has been focusing on the problem of gambling addiction. And it is more likely to give results.

New laws could have a completely different effect than expected. In 2007, analysts from the Norwegian Gaming Board showed that out of 3,000 players surveyed, only 1.3% consider themselves to be gambling addicts. The same study, conducted in 2010, after the introduction of new laws, showed that the number of addicts increased to 2.1%.

The Norwegian government should think more seriously about how it regulates the gambling business in their country. It may be worth allowing online gambling and providing equal opportunities for domestic and foreign companies. In any case, the Norwegian gambling business is performing well, which gives cause for optimism.