Is Online Gambling in Norway Legal?
Inexperienced gamblers often wonder if online gambling is allowed in Norway. While gambling is formally legal, Norwegian gambling laws are stringent, constraining Noway's online gambling.
Norway operates under the state monopoly, allowing only two operators, the Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto, to offer gambling activities. Each of the two operators is entrusted with a particular gambling branch: Norsk Tipping controls sports betting and the state lottery in Norway, while Norsk Rikstoto monitors horse betting. Presently, no other but Norsk casino online, i.e. Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto, has an online gambling license. Moreover, there isn't a gambling body that can run a legitimate online casino Norsk for Norwegian players but the two.
The Gaming Scheme Act and the Lottery Act are the two primary online gambling laws in Norway, and they list all gambling-related information. Players who are under 18 aren't allowed to play in Norway.
As Norwegian gambling laws are very stringent, players and operators do not seem to be too happy with the circumstances surrounding online gambling; even so, the government doesn't seem to be taking steps towards loosening the strict regulations.
The restrictions have become even harsher in recent years, with the online gambling authority Norway blocking online transactions to international online casinos. Norwegian players can still enjoy gambling by making deposits using e-wallets like Neteller or Skrill and gambling at legal online casinos outside Norway.
When choosing an online casino to play in this country, go for an approved online casino Norway from our list. It's important to know that online Norwegian casinos let you make real money deposits in several currencies, making the gameplay at an online casino Norsk much easier.
Which Online Casino Sites Are There in Norway?
The options for people who want to play at a Norwegian casino respecting Norwegian gambling laws are limited: you can only play at two licensed internet casinos in Norway. Regrettably, the number of games in these casinos is limited.
Some casinos are willing to waive the laws and accept real money, but we strongly advise you to refrain from playing at these casinos. Instead, go for legitimate options that can be divided into three main groups:
- Regular online casinos are standard Norwegian casino sites accessed from desktop and laptop computers. They feature basic casino games like online slots, poker, roulette, blackjack, craps, and other similar games.
- Mobile casino Norway is a popular multiplatform designed for the modern-day player who wants to enjoy casino games on the go. Mobile casinos work well on iPhones and Android phones and are popular among Norwegians.
- Live casinos are the most common favourite among players everywhere, and Norway is no exception. Participating in an online live casino allows players to become a part of an almost-live gambling euphoria and enjoy watching the dealing process, chit-chat with other players present, and everything else that falls under live casino thrill.
As live casinos give the atmosphere of in-person gameplay stationed somewhere in Vegas rather than just "plain" online gambling, the fact this way of playing is extremely popular in Norway comes as no surprise at all. Unfortunately, only so many Norwegian online casinos feature a live casino, but the few that do are terrific.
Casino Payment Methods Available in Norway
Visa
If you were to find an online casino that doesn't accept Visa, you would have to look long and hard (and still fail in your endeavour). Of course, the financial services giant is present in Norway, allowing Norwegian players to deposit and withdraw funds via their Visa-issued debit and credit cards.
MasterCard
Visa's main competitor, MasterCard, is another popular payment option among Norwegians. Although commonly used as a deposit method, players are often advised to refrain from withdrawing money via MasterCard as the provider tends to decline withdrawals from online casinos.
PaySafeCard
PaySafeCard is one of the most widely used banking options among Norweigan players. PaySafeCard is a prepaid card allowing users to load money onto it via a bank account and deposit funds without disclosing personal or financial information.
Skrill
Skrill is another household name in the financial industry, widely regarded as a reliable and secure payment solution. Similar to other e-Wallets, Skrill lets its users link debit or credit cards without disclosing personal information and use it to deposit or withdraw money from gambling sites.
Neteller
Neteller is another e-Wallet that regularly finds itself among the most popular payment methods for gamblers. As with the previous two banking options, Neteller can also be used for both deposits and withdrawals without sharing confidential or personal information.
EcoCard
EcoCard is the choice of many Norwegian players who wish to keep their data to themselves while enjoying fast and secure money transactions online. Unlike Neteller and Skrill, EcoCard doesn't require a credit or debit card; players need only load their money onto it before using it.
Webmoney
Webmoney might not be as common as the previous payment solutions; however, a portion of Norwegian players hail it as a hassle-free deposit and withdrawal method for their casino transactions. Reasonable fees, a high level of security, and a choice of currencies make this payment option the choice of many Norwegians.
History of Gambling in Norway
The Norwegian gambling market has always been, more or less, restricted to various gambling activities, and the same praxis survives today. From 1902 and The Penal Code introduction set in place to regulate and monitor the gambling market to 1927, when the Totalizator Act was passed, proclaiming Norsk Rikstoto the only operator to provide horse betting activities, Norway has always had a strong hand in dealing with gambling regulations.
Further stringent gambling laws didn't come as a surprise when, in 1992, the Gaming Act was approved, naming Norsk Tipping the only responsible body for the lottery and other games of chance in the NOK casinos. The introduction of this act solidified Norway's state monopoly in all gambling affairs.
In 1995, the Lottery Act entered into force, describing how lotteries and games of chance should be regulated in the country, which set the bases for all future gambling activities. The years 2007 and 2008 brought even stricter regulations, banning all slot machines from use in 2007 and, in 2008, prohibiting all gambling activities for Norwegian players in the international top online casinos.
With the rise of gambling popularity, the Norwegian government took radical measures in 2009 to fight gambling. At the time, Norsk Tipping introduced special cards and gaming terminals, allowing just several monthly transactions.
In 2010, the Payment Act was approved to block money transactions to offshore casinos for Norwegians, but the first actions took place in 2017.
As shown throughout history, Norway could be one of the rare countries with a firm stance on gambling. To this day, Norway is very strict with its regulations, making modern gamblers try hard to find internet casinos that will accept their real money bets.
Play at Online Casinos Norway
Players who decide to try their luck at Norwegian casinos should stick to the state-approved ones to avoid getting themselves in trouble. Check out AskGamblers' list of Norwegian casinos here to play safely.
Good luck!
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