Norway to unify gambling laws, beef up enforcement tools

Norway’s government is proposing to streamline the country’s gambling laws while sending a message that the future of the two state-run gambling monopolies is not up for debate.

On Monday, Norway’s Ministry of Culture submitted a proposal to unify the country’s three existing gambling laws – the Lottery Act, Gambling Act and Totalizator Act – under a single legislative banner. The government has launched a consultation on the proposal that will run through September 29.

Abid Raja, Minister of Culture & Gender Equality, said the aim was to “secure responsible gaming and to prevent gambling problems and other negative consequences.” A “more comprehensive perspective” on gambling policy will see Raja’s Ministry assume all regulatory responsibility, eliminating input from the Lottery Committee and the Ministry of Agriculture & Food.

The new policy aims to ensure that gambling marketing is not “too extensive” or aimed at minors and vulnerable individuals. Raja also seeks more “efficient” operation from the Norsk Tipping (betting) and Norsk Rikstoto (racing) monopolies by putting government in charge of appointing their senior executives and board members.