Norway’s gambling monopoly said it didn’t witness any mass increase in problematic online casino activity during this spring’s pandemic lockdown, partly due to the state-run company’s spending limits.
On Friday, Norsk Tipping issued a report on Norwegian gambling activity after the country declared a national state of emergency on March 13 due to COVID-19. This resulted in the closure of all retail gambling operations, including the Multix and Belago slots halls, while sports betting suffered from the suspension of major league play.
Lotteries reported a minor surge in activity in April as other gambling options dried up, although this is a seasonal phenomenon due to Easter-related promotions. Lottery sales quickly settled back to a more normal level by May and remained there through September.
Norsk Tipping’s Oddsen sports betting product reported sales plunging to “a pale minimum” in April, as a betting slate of eSports and Belarusian football “did not appeal” to most bettors, many of whom “disappeared from all gaming when their main interest disappeared.”