Summary
- Norway's Gambling Authority Closes Access to 57 Gambling Websites
- The regulator emphasizes that only two gambling sites are licensed in Norway.
- The country remains one of the few in Europe that still rejects adopting a multi-license model.
Norway has ordered the blocking of 57 gambling websites that operated in the country without obtaining the required license from the state regulator, Lotteritilsynet.
Norway goes after individual black market websites
Norway is currently one of the few European countries that maintains a state-backed monopoly on gambling, permitting only two state-controlled companies, Norsk Rikstoto and Norsk Tipping, to operate legally. Players can access legal gambling through their websites. To enhance player protection, Norway has implemented DNS blocking to prevent certain foreign websites from being accessible within the country or offering services to local players. This technique blocks the server from connecting to specified IP addresses, essentially cutting off access to unauthorized sites. Although specific websites have not been named, authorities assert that these sites offered illegal services. Silje Sægrov Amble, legal counsel for the Norwegian Gambling and Foundation Authority (Lotteritilsynet), stated that the blocked websites intentionally aimed to exploit players, offering no consumer protection and trying to get players addicted. Meanwhile, nearly all European countries have shifted to a multi-license model, where private companies operate in a regulated market rather than under a state monopoly. This approach promotes competition, offering better variety and encouraging players to use licensed websites. In contrast, a state monopoly can lead players to seek offshore or illegal sites, which poses risks to their well-being.
State monopoly or a multi-license market: what is it going to be?
In 2026, Finland is transitioning to a multi-license market, believing that liberalizing gambling will effectively combat the black market. Currently, it is estimated that 50% of Finnish gamblers engage with offshore websites. Meanwhile, Lotteritilsynet is taking a different approach by addressing black market issues on a case-by-case basis, similar to the strategy employed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
