Malta-licensed online gaming operators have illegally been targeting gamblers in Norway. This is the assertion of the Norwegian Gaming Authority (NGA), known as the Lotteri- og stiftelsestilsynet, which is now going after six companies for violating the country’s laws.

According to the Times of Malta, Norway has banned all transactions related to the six “illegal” firms, which include the Kindred Group, Dino Gaming Ltd., the Betsson Group, Co-Gaming, Ltd., L&L Europe Players Ltd. and the Gaming Innovation Group (GIG). The first two received warnings this month, while the others had been issued warning letters last November.

As a result of the ban, banks in Norway can no longer transfer money to any account held by the companies. The NGA asserts that they were all marketing their services in Norway and providing online betting services to Norwegians without state permission.

Only two companies are authorized to provide gambling services in the country – sportsbook and casino games operator Norsk Tipping and race betting operator Norsk Rikstoto. The crackdown comes as Norway tries to clean up its local gambling space and prevent unauthorized companies from operating there.