Curiously enough, the best betting sites Norway are not actually Norwegian betting sites but international ones. It is not because Norwegian bookies are bad. It’s because the market is heavily regulated, and only two state-owned sportsbooks operate in Norway. We have gathered a list of betting sites in Norway for your convenience, so feel free to browse through them to find your favourites.
Best Betting Sites for Norwegian Players Rated by Industry Experts
We didn’t have too much trouble gathering top-rated betting sites for Norwegian players because the offer is so vast, and some of the most reputable bookies provide their services to Norwegian players.
The AskGamblers sports betting experts make sure to test all the betting sites we list on our website to ensure they get an unbiased rating that the bettors can trust. They look into plenty of things when rating a sportsbook, and we will provide more detailed information below.
One of the most important factors is whether the site’s offer is tailored to the Norwegian market. The best Norwegian betting sites should have the Norwegian Krone as an accepted currency and offer the most popular sports for Norwegian bettors. Accepted payment methods are also significant, as Norwegian regulators are quite strict about the options Norwegian punters can use for sports betting activities.
How We Rate Norwegian Betting Sites
Many factors influence the final rating we give to bookies, and the criteria are the same for every sportsbook we list on our website. It’s not only about their odds and promotions. Both our experts and bettors are looking for much more from a betting site that gets a high rating.
The experience you will have with a sportsbook starts from the sign-up process and claiming the welcome bonus. Then it extends to making your first bet, and then the next, and so on, depending on if you like the sportsbook or not. There are many things that accompany that whole process, and we take them all into account.
Let’s look at the top criteria we consider when rating Norwegian betting sites:
- Bookie’s licence: When a bookie is licenced, that means that it is regulated by a regulatory body that controls its practices and guarantees a certain level of protection to bettors. International betting sites in Norway can’t carry a Norwegian Gambling Authority’s licence, as there is a state-run monopoly in the country, but they can carry a licence from reputable regulators, like the Malta Gaming Authority.
- Reputation: A sportsbook’s reputation speaks a lot in its favour or against it, depending on its bettors’ opinions and complaints. Bettors like it when a sportsbook offers good bonuses and odds and has friendly customer support agents, but they don’t like when their withdrawals take too long or when are being deceived in a way. That’s why we take bettors’ reviews seriously, alongside the complaints they make against the bookie when we do our reviews and ratings.
- Security: It goes without saying that you want your personal and financial information to remain confidential and secure when opening an account and placing your bets with a sportsbook. Data encryption and other security protocols are vital for protecting your personal data, and once you leave it with the betting site, it is their responsibility to safeguard it.
- Betting bonuses and promotions: Bettors look into promotions and welcome bonuses when looking for new sportsbooks to sign up with, as they help them decide who to opt for. Giving a hefty welcome bonus with attractive terms and conditions will attract new bettors and allow the sportsbook to retain them with additional bonuses and fair treatment.
- Number of sports/markets: Having a variety of sports and markets is significant everywhere, not just in Norway. Top-rated sportsbooks should offer all popular sports in the country, plus niche options for bettors with different betting preferences. Also, if a site offers the Premier League and Champions League in its football section and not the Norwegian national league (Eliteserien), for example, that is not really the best offer. When it comes to sports and betting markets, we can say the more, the merrier.
- Payment options: The same goes for the payment options. Bettors like when they have options to choose from for both deposit and withdrawal methods. The Norwegian law forbids the use of debit and credit cards for gambling in Norway, but bettors still use them at international sportsbooks. Offering a variety of payment options gives plenty of flexibility to users, and we definitely regard it as a big advantage when we rate the betting sites.
- Betting odds: This is the most important factor to some bettors when it comes to choosing a sportsbook to place bets with. Offering competitive odds could make a difference and push a bettor to one bookie instead of the other. Generally speaking, we appreciate it when betting sites give good odds to bettors because it means they can get bigger payouts. If a site constantly gives lower odds, that’s not a good sign to us or the bettors.
- Customer support: Whenever there is any problem, the first point of contact is definitely the sportsbook’s customer service. Having a responsive, friendly and 24/7 available customer support team is a huge plus and definitely something that bettors appreciate in a sportsbook. Different methods of communication are also appreciated, so if you can reach the bookie by email, phone and live chat, that means that they have it all covered.
How to Choose Top Norwegian Betting Site Based on Your Betting Preferences
If you are looking for a new online betting destination in Norway, we suggest you start by reading the reviews from experts and your fellow bettors. Reading some first-hand impressions and unbiased opinions could help you learn more about the bookie, its trustworthiness and the treatment you can expect as a member.
Next, we suggest that you look at the welcome bonuses Norwegian betting sites have to offer. Bonuses can come in the shape of a deposit match bonus, free bets, or risk-free bets, to name a few, and depending on what you prefer, that could be another factor when picking the best betting sites Norway has to offer to you.
Don’t forget to pay attention to sports and markets you can bet on. If a sportsbook doesn’t offer your favourites, then you need to keep looking for one that does. Most sportsbooks offer the most popular options, but if you prefer something different, like curling for example, then you might want to find a different betting site.
Check out the betting sites listed on this page and look for the ones you’d like to try next.
How is Sports Betting Regulated in Norway?
Norwegian Gaming and Foundation Authority, or the Norwegian Gambling Authority (Lotteri og Stiftelsestilsynet), regulates online sports betting and other gambling activities in Norway, and the governing law is the Norwegian Gambling Scheme Act.
Under this law, the government has a monopoly over gambling and sports betting activities in Norway through two companies: Norsk Tipping, which provides betting and casino services, and Norsk Rikstoto, which offers horse racing betting.
Other iGaming and sports betting operators are not allowed to do business in Norway as they don’t hold a licence from the Norwegian Gambling Authority, and the law strictly prohibits other bookies from operating in Norway.
Norwegians, however, can play at international casinos and bet with international sportsbooks without any consequences because the government is still not enforcing those strict, prohibiting laws. Bettors might be forced to pay a 28% tax on their winnings when winning more than 10.000 NOK if they are not betting at the Norsk Tipping website.
So, if you choose to bet at an international sportsbook, look for a trustworthy bookie who holds a licence from one of the reputable authorities that guarantees safety and help in case of a problem.
How Often Do We Add New Norwegian Betting Sites?
As you can see at the top of this page, we have already listed quite a few betting sites that are available in Norway. Since they don’t have to (and can’t, for that matter) hold a Norwegian betting licence, they just need to accept bettors from Norway and hold a valid licence with an international reach.
When a new betting site emerges on the Norwegian scene and comes on our radar, our experts look into all the crucial details for rating the site and list it right here on this page, according to its rank. If the bookie doesn’t hold a valid licence or has a history of being deceitful in any way to its customers, it will not be allowed a place on the AskGamblers website.
New Norwegian betting sites are added almost daily, depending on when or if they decide to operate in Norway. With the state monopoly, bettors are constantly looking for new opportunities and better promotions with international sportsbooks, and we are here to help.
Most Popular Payment Options for Sports Betting in Norway
The strict laws the Norwegian government imposes on bettors and betting sites also apply to the payment methods. Bettors are not allowed to use their debit or credit cards to deposit into their online sports betting accounts, and banks are required not to process any such payments, national or international. PayPal is also unavailable for these purposes.
There are alternatives to Visa, MasterCard, or other debit or credit cards, and Norwegian bettors are comfortable using them for their deposits and withdrawals. Let’s look into a few popular options:
- PaySafeCard: It is a prepaid card that bettors can use to deposit funds into their sports betting accounts. Banking details are not shared with the sportsbook, and it is a safe way to avoid the prohibited use of bank cards.
- Skrill: Skrill is a popular e-wallet solution that is available to bettors in Norway. It can be used for both deposits and withdrawals. Skrill provides fast and secure transactions and a seamless user experience, and it is widely accepted among betting sites.
- Neteller: Neteller is another popular e-wallet that is famous for its encryption technology and safety features that appeal to bettors worldwide. It is a convenient payment method that many reputable online betting sites, Norway or otherwise, accept as a payment option for deposits and withdrawals. It is safe to use, doesn’t require bettors to share banking details with the sportsbook, and allows for fast transactions.
- Cryptocurrency: Norwegian crypto enthusiasts can choose one of the cryptocurrencies the sportsbooks accept. Be it Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Tether, or some other cryptocurrency you prefer, chances are you will find a betting site that accepts it as a deposit method. Cryptocurrency transactions are anonymous, heavily encrypted, and fast, so it is no wonder that bettors who have a crypto wallet choose crypto as their preferred payment method.
Most Popular Sports Betting Competitions and Sports in Norway
Player favourite sports betting options can often be linked to the preferred sports people enjoy watching in the country, but there are always a few surprises here and there. Norway is no exception, as we can see even from the options that the national companies offer. Let’s explore some of the most popular sports and competitions to bet on in Norway:
- Horse racing: Perhaps surprisingly, but as we said, Norsk Risktoto provides horse racing betting options to Norwegian players, meaning that horse racing has a significant spot in the Norwegian betting landscape. International bookies accepting Norwegian players should also offer horse racing as a betting option if they wish to be competitive.
- Football: As one of the most popular sports in Europe, and probably globally, football is a must-have option in every sportsbook. Apart from offering the most popular competitions like the Champions League, Europa League, Premier League, La Liga and others, the best sports betting sites Norway should also provide odds for the Norwegian football league, Eliteserien.
- Winter sports: When you think about its geographical position, it’s no surprise that winter sports are so popular in Norway. Norway is one of the most successful countries in the Winter Olympics, having won a record 39 medals at the Pyeongchang Olympics in 2018. Norwegians enjoy betting on ice hockey, cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, ski jumping or curling, to name a few.
- Handball: Handball could be considered one of the national sports in Norway, especially with the successes of the women’s national team in recent years. Norwegians can bet on the national competitions in both men's and women’s leagues, as well as the EHF Champions League and international competitions, such as the European Championships, World Championships, or the Olympics.
Future of Online Sports Betting Sites in Norway
The Norwegian authorities are only looking to strengthen their further efforts to keep online betting and gambling under strict control. Their aim is to limit gambling activities and prevent problem gambling by imposing strict laws and maintaining a monopoly on gambling activities. So far, it seems that there hasn’t been much success, with Norwegian bettors looking for entertainment with overseas betting sites.
The way things stand right now, Norwegians have two options: to bet with the state-run Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto or find a reputable international bookie to place bets with. The government companies often don’t provide their bettors with the best and most competitive odds and promotions, practically pushing them to find new betting destinations.
With bookies who are not licenced in Norway, you could be exposed to fraudulent actions and have no authority to provide protection if you encounter a problem. While these international options might seem lucrative, we advise you to be cautious and ensure that you only place your bets with reputable companies and gamble responsibly.
