Norwegian regulator calls for complete rethink on rules relating to the sector

“Through such a re-regulated licensing model, the Norwegian authorities will ensure a much higher degree of channeling for gambling in Norway,”

Norway’s Minister of Culture Abid Raja initiated a consultation to review the convergence of the country’s Lottery Act, Gaming Act and Totalisator Act into a single legislative structure. Last month those proposed amendments were sent to the European Commission. 

The Norwegian Industry Association for Online Gaming (NBO) has called for a complete rethink on the new gambling law rules through. The NBO added that the bill would lead to Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto’s monopolies in the market which means poor standards of protection and value for customers. NBO advocates a licensing model for private operators, with a tax rate of 15% which it says would result in an expected channeling rate of more than 95%. 

Those licenses should be available to companies that meet a variety of criteria particularly related to responsible gaming and furthermore the operators would be required to be able to account for customers’ available funds, both to detect money laundering and to prevent players using credit to fund gambling. 

“Through such a re-regulated licensing model, the Norwegian authorities will ensure a much higher degree of channeling for gambling in Norway,” said NBO secretary general Carl Fredrik Stenstrøm. “This in turn will provide far better protection for vulnerable players and generate increased government revenue.” 

The NBO cited apparent success stories in recent years in neighboring Denmark and Sweden, both of which have opened up their markets to private gaming operators. 

The Norwegian gambling regulator Lotteritilsynet of Norway, has reaffirmed its opinion that a more holistic control of the Norwegian gambling industry would be encouraged by plans for a new popular gambling law and reported that a reform is required that “will ensure responsible gambling.” 

The regulator said “the bill clarifies the main aim of the legislation is to avoid gambling issues and other adverse gambling consequences.” and added “Norwegian regulation will be strengthened through new instruments that will provide better control of the gambling market and ensure a more responsible gambling offer in Norway,” the statement added. 

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