Norway’s Gambling Market: A Call for Reform

Overview of Norway’s Gambling Market

• Norway remains one of the few European nations to retain its gambling state monopoly.
• The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has called on Norway to reconsider its stance, referencing a report by H2 that indicates half of Norwegian gamblers already participate in international gambling platforms.
• The EGBA contends that only a regulated market can ensure proper oversight and governance.

EGBA’s Analysis and Recommendations

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has released a comprehensive analysis on its website that delves into the current gambling landscape in Norway.

The EGBA has reiterated its call for Norway to transition away from its monopolistic framework, advocating for a multi-license system akin to those adopted by other Nordic and European nations. This approach is perceived as a superior method for enhancing consumer protection and ensuring consistent revenue generation.

“Multi-licensing offers a pragmatic solution by recognizing that many Norwegians are already seeking alternatives to Norsk Tipping and are gambling on international sites. The focus is not on expanding gambling activities, but on implementing proper oversight for the gambling that is occurring.”

Current Challenges and Future Outlook

Denmark and Sweden, although initially slow to adopt this model, have benefited significantly from its implementation. Sweden, however, faces pressures to maintain a robust channelization rate.

Need for Enhanced Oversight in the Gambling Market

On a parallel note, Finland is in the process of re-regulating its gambling market, moving away from the Veikkaus monopoly towards a multi-license system. While this transition has led to job losses in the land-based sector, industry experts believe it is a step in the right direction.

Conversely, Norway has yet to embark on such a reform. The EGBA warns that Norway could become the last European nation to regulate its gambling industry and move away from the monopoly model, which has been largely replaced by a more adaptable license-based system.

Efforts to Curb Illegal Operators

Norway has taken steps to curb the influence of illegal operators, including considering DNS bans to prevent unauthorized entities from targeting Norwegian citizens.

Despite these efforts, even regulated markets continue to battle the challenges posed by the black market. The EGBA concludes that the optimal path forward for Norway would be to regulate its gambling industry comprehensively.