Norway has some of the strictest online gambling rules in Europe. The country wants to ensure that gamblers are responsible and only allow state-owned online casinos to operate. The limited gambling options that Norway offers might frustrate you and cause you to start looking elsewhere.
Our expert author, Alexandra Nereng, specializes in the iGaming sector. She is a writer for norsk casino på nett and focuses on the online gambling industry in Norway. In the following article, we will discuss the Norwegian gambling laws and give valuable insight on what to look for when choosing an online casino.
Rule 1: Understand the Online Gambling Scene in Norway
Unlike the rest of Europe, Norway has stringent online gambling laws and regulations. So, only two casinos, namely Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto, are allowed to operate legally in Norway.
These two entities have a monopoly over horse racing, lotteries, sports betting, poker, and other casino games. They are entirely state-owned. In this way, the Norwegian government can collect revenues, as all winnings are taxable.
Norway’s Ministry of Culture owns Norsk Tipping. The ministry uses all casino-generated profits for socially beneficial causes. On the other hand, Norsk Rikstoto is an independent foundation.
The Norwegian Jockey Club and the Trotting Association established Norsk Rikstoto in 1982. They use their profits to benefit the horse racing industry.
The Norwegian Totalisator Act and the Gaming Scheme Act state that only these two operators can provide legal gambling activities. Unfortunately, the same also goes for online casinos. Although the state-owned entities offer online casinos, they are somewhat outdated.
Rule 2: Know Your Norwegian Slot Machines
If you were in Norway in the late 90s, you would have no trouble finding a slot machine in a public space. You could discover slots in bars, hotels, gas stations, and grocery stores. The slot business in Norway was booming and generated millions in revenue.
In 2004 alone, the slot industry brought in 64% of all gambling-related revenues. But, instead of developing the sector further, the Norwegian government imposed a limit on the availability of slot machines.
In 2008, the government managed to ban nearly all slot machines and replaced them with MultiX slots. These slots required players to have an access card before they could play. In this way, lawmakers could keep track of player information.
The new system could monitor how much a player spends, their winnings, and potential slot addictions. The government also ensured that all slot machine profits were used for charity purposes.
Although many Norwegians praised the government for the newly implemented laws, the lack of slot availability led several punters to offshore iGaming platforms.
Rule 3: Learn To Use Offshore Operators
Worldwide, the online gambling industry has multiplied. Experts predict that the industry will grow significantly in the next five years. With the high number of online casinos already available, competition is tough.
So, if a gambling site wants to attract more players, it needs to develop innovative ideas. As a result, some casinos have opened themselves up to Norwegian players. Although offshore casinos aren’t allowed to operate in Norway, no law stops Norwegians from using offshore casinos.
This forced Norwegian authorities to prevent citizens from accessing offshore casinos. So, the government introduced a Payment Act. The act states that Norwegian customers can’t use their credit cards at offshore casinos.
But, with e-wallet solutions like PayPal and Skrill, customers can easily set up a secure payment method and keep playing with offshore sites.
Rule 4: Stay Safe In Offshore Casinos
Because Norway doesn’t allow offshore casinos to operate in the country, players aren’t protected. Unfortunately, many licensed casinos try to scam Norwegian players. So, if you’re looking for a safe experience, you need to ensure that the casino operates under a legal licence.
It’s also vital to choose a casino that offers safe and secure payment options. Some of the best online casinos have advanced encryption systems to keep your data safe. Although some casinos claim to be safe for Norwegian players, you must also read the casino rules and withdrawal terms. In some cases, you might have to wait for 24 hours or more before you receive your winnings.
You also need to look at what the casino has to offer. Some online casinos might claim to have generous signup bonuses. But, once you read the fine print, you’ll find that the reward is limited to specific games only.
We also suggest looking for a casino that offers a 24/7 live chat feature. You can communicate with a casino operator at any time.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing an online gambling site that operates outside of Norway, there are some rules that you need to consider. It’s crucial to become familiar with the rules and regulations, as Norwegian players have no protection when using offshore casinos.
