Is Gambling Legitimate in Norway?

Norway has one of the most rigorous laws in the world. In the country, only two operators have the authorization to conduct gambling activities:

• Norsk Rikstoto – horse racing online and offline;
• Norsk Tipping – lottery activity, bookmakers, poker clubs.

Alt: Cards and Chips in Norwegian Poker Club

Land-based casinos have never existed in this state due to the country’s focus on the development of online gambling. Three laws regulate gambling and lotteries in Norway:

• Gaming Scheme Act;
• Lottery Act;
• Totalizator Act. 

  Norway is a European country but not a member of the European Union. Therefore, the general European rules concerning gambling are invalid on the country’s territory.

History of Gambling in Norway

Norwegians have a strong gambling culture, with Norse myths often depicting scenes of Vikings playing dice games. Despite ancient legends describing Norwegian nation’s passion for gambling, casinos didn’t emerge in Norway until the 20th century. Throughout this time, most forms of gambling were considered illicit:

• In 1927, Norway passed the Totalizator Act, which was the first law to allow gambling.
• In 1948, the national company Norsk Tipping was established, primarily focusing on organizing lotteries.
• In 1982, the national foundation Norsk Rikstoto gained exclusive rights to take wagers on horse races.
• The Gaming Scheme Act of 1992 granted Norsk Tipping a monopoly on regulating all Norwegian lotteries, sports betting, and other authorized forms of risk-taking activities, including online gambling. Any Norwegian who wants to gamble must register in a specialized system before gaining access to the necessary websites. 

Another interesting piece of history is related to slot machines. Since 1990, Norway has had permissive laws on slot machines, allowing private operators to place them in public locations like bars, hotels, gas stations, etc. However, in 2002, authorities initiated efforts to restrict slot machines. By 2003, the Norwegian Parliament granted exclusive slot rights to the national company Norsk Tipping. This law entered into force in 2007 stipulating that profits would be directed to charitable causes. 

In 2008, Norsk Tipping replaced all old slot machines with MULTIX slots, which feature strict regulations and limits. To play the norske automater, gamblers must be at least 18 years old, have a gaming account, an ID card, and a credit card.

Alt: Modern Norwegian Slot

As for poker, it remained illegal in Norway for a long period. However, since January 1, 2015, Norwegians have finally gained the opportunity to play poker. The same year, the first Norwegian Poker Championship was held.

Why Do Norwegian Players Choose Casinos that Accept Cryptocurrencies?

Norway has only authorized two websites for gambling – the Norsk Rikstoto and Norsk Tipping. Nonetheless, numerous Norwegian players often use the services of foreign gambling websites. The main problem the Norwegian players face is the impossibility of adding funds to their gaming accounts using a credit card. Cryptocurrencies offer a viable solution, as numerous international operators now accept cryptocurrency payments, providing a swift and cost-saving means of conducting online transactions.

Online Casinos in Norway

The set of Norwegian gambling sites was created to stop the growth of the number of people who play in foreign online casinos. The gambling sites, controlled by North Tipping, offer a variety of the games, including slot machines, bingo, video poker, and scratch cards. 

Alt: Norwegian Online Casino Allows to Play Everywhere

However, an online casino must comply with the strict rules established by Norwegian gambling legislation.

• The casino operates during specific hours, from 07:00 to 03:00. 
• Only slot machines produced by Norsk Tipping are available for the players.
• There are limits on bets for Kong Kasino games. It is impossible to wager more than 0.1 crowns on a line in slot machines.
• No bonuses are available.

The main advantage of Norwegian online casinos is that winnings under 10,000 NOK are not taxed.

Conclusion

On one hand, it’s good for the state to have full control over the funds for improving the country. From this perspective, a gambling monopoly doesn’t appear to be a bad thing. In fact, it prompts many to spend more as they consider it as a form of donation. However, under this circumstance, the quality of the offerings may worsen. Without competition, there’s no incentive to offer enticing promotions and bonuses or enlarge the game selection and improve their quality.