Norway occupies the western part of the Scandinavian peninsula; it neighbors Sweden in the east, Finland and Russia in the northeast. Sporting activities betting in Norway is fairly well developed, but the activity is highly regulated with state monopoly. However, this has not dampened the passion of the people towards sports betting since the people of the nation are lovers of sports and the fun that comes with gambling. Here is a detailed look at the sports betting in Norway, its history and the current top betting sites in Norway.
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Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
History of Gambling Laws in Norway
Gambling legislation in Norway has come a long way in the past one hundred years or so. Below is a brief timeline of events that define the progression of the topic:
Early Regulations
- 1902: The Norwegian Penal Code set very tough conditions, which limited the provision of games of chance to state-authorized and regulated entities only.
- 1927: The Totalisator Act legalised horse racing betting and created Norsk Rikstoto as the only legal body that is allowed to offer horse racing betting.
The Era of Monopolies
- 1986: The lottery games were allowed under the exclusivity of Norsk Tipping.
- 1992: The Gaming Scheme Act as well as the changes made to it introduced new and legal forms of gambling, such as casino gambling and online gambling to be operated by Norsk Tipping.
Modern Reforms
- 2022: The recent amendment of the Gaming Scheme Act and the subsequent evolution of the regulations provided a step by step basis towards increasing the state’s hold in this area with strict provisions against the unauthorized operators.
Regulatory of Betting Sites in Norway
The regulation of gambling activities in Norway is shared between several main bodies and institutions.
- The Ministry of Culture and Equality: is responsible for the supervision of the management of gaming and lotteries.
- The Norwegian Gaming and Foundation Authority (Lotteritilsynet): It is the specialist administrative and supervisory body serving as the main governing body.
These agencies are responsible for the regulation of all gambling activities to ensure that the government’s set down standards are followed thus protecting the bettors.
Prohibited and Permitted Bets
Based on the laws of Norway, the forms of bets that are allowed and the ones that are not allowed are clearly outlined.
Permitted Bets:
- Placing your bets on sports using Norsk Tipping.
- All the horse racing betting is done through Norsk Rikstoto.
- The lottery and instant games through Norsk Tipping
Prohibited Bets:
- Activities of gambling provided by unregulated operators
- Games of chance available in the online casinos which are not state-owned
The Process of Licensing of Gambling in Norway
These gambling licenses in Norway can be acquired from the Norwegian Gaming and Foundation Authority. However, getting a license is very much rigid and is mostly granted to state monopolies and non-profit organizations only.
License Types:
- The authorization of non-profit organizations for conducting charity gambling activities
- Some of the permits are for particular gambling activities including lotteries and bingo.
Fees and Taxes:
- The fees range from one gambling activity to another.
- A 15% tax on the gross gambling revenue has been suggested for possible future liberalization.
The Top Betting Sites in Norway
Thus, state monopolies remain the primary force in the gambling industry, and several well-known online betting platforms have become popular among Norwegians.
Betmaster
Betmaster
Being founded in 2014, Betmaster has become popular due to the vast choice of markets and the interface that is easy to use.
Promotions: Up to £1000 + £10 Free Bets.Up To £1000 + £10 Free Bets
20Bet
20Bet
Popular for the extensive markets and live streams, 20Bet is the ideal platform for any sport lover.
Promotions: Up to £150 + Recharge £150 in Free Bets – Get Free Bets Now!Up To £150 + Recharge £150 Free Bets
1xbet
1xBet
They were also able to provide for the casino game enthusiasts where 1xbet has over 1,000 casino games which includes slots and live dealer games.
Promotions: Great odds on sporting events especially on the betting section.Up To £100
Important Events in Norwegian Sports history
Norway has a long standing tradition of being an athletic nation with numerous significant events that have influenced the sports culture.
Winter Olympics Glory
- 1928, 1932, and 1936: Sonja Henie takes the gold in figure skating.
- 2008 and 2012: Erik Tysse is a track and field in the Summer Olympics and see Norway as his representative country.
Cross-Country Skiing Dominance
- Marit Bjørgen: The most medal-winning female Winter Olympian with fifteen of them.
- Ole Einar Bjørndalen: The record holder of the number of Olympic medals in the biography of a biathlete – 13.
Football Triumphs
- UEFA European Championship: Norway triumphs in the year 1992 and 1996.
Gambling Laws in Neighboring Countries
All the neighboring countries of Norway, namely Sweden, Finland, and Russia, have their sets of rules regarding gambling.
Sweden
- Liberalized Market: Sweden has also allowed the private operators to get license.
- Focus on Player Protection: Measures taken to reduce the cases of gambling addiction.
Finland
- State Monopoly: In the analyzed industry, the main subject is Veikkaus Oy that is the only legal company working in the sphere of gambling services.
- Focus on Player Protection: To some extent, I told them that there are measures that have been taken to prevent gambling addiction.
Russia
- Tightly Controlled: It is prohibited, and permitted in some places or regions or only in some cases.
- Online Gambling Ban: Many of the gambling activities that take place in the Internet are considered to be unlawful.
Conclusion
Before you jump into the sports betting in Norway, it is crucial to get to know with the legal framework of gambling in this country. Unfortunately, owing to the state monopoly, the options for betting are limited and it is best advised to use the authorized ones, namely Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto.
FAQ about Betting Sites in Norway
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