Norway to introduce DNS blocking for unlicensed gambling

Proposed legislation aims to add further protections for Norway’s gambling monopoly.

Norway.- The government of Norway has proposed new legislation to introduce DNS blocking against unlicensed gambling sites. The move would require internet providers to implement technical measures to prevent access to named websites using the domain name system (DNS). Players would be redirected to a landing page that explains why the website has been blocked.

The move involves an amendment to the Gambling Act. It was recommended by the Ministry of Culture and Equality and was approved by cabinet on Friday.

Lubna Jaffery, minister for culture and equality, said: “We do this primarily to prevent and limit gambling problems and to look after vulnerable players and their relatives. If foreign gambling companies had followed Norwegian law, this would not have been imposed on the internet providers. We have to regulate this by targeting actors over whom we have jurisdiction.”

Norway’s measures against unlicensed online gambling

The amendment is the latest move designed to protect Norway’s state-controlled gambling monopoly, which comprises two operators: Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto. Financial institutions are already required to block transactions linked to illegal gambling, and the Norwegian gambling regulator has announced that it is monitoring nine banks to ensure they comply.

Lotteritilsynet has previously warned that several companies’ websites will be blocked if they do not leave the Norwegian market by 2024. It named the operators Betsson, bet365 and ComeOn and also mentioned the brands Mariacasino, Storspiller, Bingo and Unibet, which are all operated by Kindred’s Trannel subsidiary.

Meanwhile, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has reiterated its call for Norway to drop its monopoly system, noting that neighbouring Finland has pledged to open a regulated gambling market by 2025, ending the monopoly of state-controlled Veikkaus.