Norway strengthens restrictions against international sites

The government proposed stricter measures to monitor online gambling payment processing.

Norway.- The Norwegian Gaming Authority (Lotteri- og Stiftelsestilsynet) has started a consultation process on its proposal to increase the restrictions on internationally licensed online gambling operators that target local players. The consultation is expected to finish on August 15th.

Despite the new consultation process, the local gaming authority has already established that local financial institutions must block transactions with unauthorised online gambling operators. Nevertheless, there are up to 40k daily transactions involving international gambling sites.

This is not the first time that the Norwegian Gaming Authority has tried to prevent banks from processing online gambling payments, but some entities settled by changing account numbers instead of stopping the payments. The regulator wants more power to order banks to stop dealing with certain companies by their names instead of account numbers.

Moreover, there seems to be a parliamentary majority to approve measures to strengthen gambling rules in Norway, which are expected to be adopted on May 7th. These proposed measures would grant the gaming authority more power to investigate companies that promote unauthorised gambling products and impose penalties on companies that violate the rules.

Harald Dørum, CEO of Norsk Rikstoto, talked about the measures for increased consumer protection and the regulations introduced to block illegal actors who spend billions on television advertising targeted at Norwegian consumers annually.

“Norsk Rikstoto’s share of total marketing is modest both in terms of Norsk Tipping and the international gaming companies. Regarding the decision to curb the marketing of licensed operators in Norway, I hope this is being rejected and seen in conjunction with both Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto being given the opportunity to be attractive in the market,” he said.  The CEO added that a tightening in that area before making noticeable restrictions on the ability to market illegal gambling can work against its purpose.