Norway plans to block unlicensed bookmakers

Norwegian authorities plan to block the sites of unlicensed bookmakers. The corresponding bill was submitted to parliament by the government of the Scandinavian country.

The document proposes to introduce blocking of such websites using the DNS domain name system. The blocking will have to be carried out by Internet providers at the request of the gaming regulator. To implement the authorities' plans, it will be necessary to amend the Gambling Law.

Let us recall that there are currently two monopoly online gambling operators in Norway. Norsk Tipping has the exclusive right to accept bets on sports, lotteries, poker and keno, while Norsk Rikstoto accepts bets on horse racing.

The Scandinavian country currently remains the only one in continental Europe where such regulation exists. Earlier, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) called on Norway to give up its monopoly on online gambling, noting that the model does not correspond to the current European trend and the safety of gambling. Introducing a licensing system would satisfy the demand for online gambling alternatives and increase tax revenue.

The document proposes to introduce blocking of such websites using the DNS domain name system. The blocking will have to be carried out by Internet providers at the request of the gaming regulator. To implement the authorities' plans, it will be necessary to amend the Gambling Law.

Let us recall that there are currently two monopoly online gambling operators in Norway. Norsk Tipping has the exclusive right to accept bets on sports, lotteries, poker and keno, while Norsk Rikstoto accepts bets on horse racing.

The Scandinavian country currently remains the only one in continental Europe where such regulation exists. Earlier, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) called on Norway to give up its monopoly on online gambling, noting that the model does not correspond to the current European trend and the safety of gambling. Introducing a licensing system would satisfy the demand for online gambling alternatives and increase tax revenue.