Gambling in Norway

A Chronicle of Gambling Development in Norway

It is well known that Norway’s valiant warriors would drink and throw dice after battle. One of the most interesting stories involves King Olaf, who once won an island from the Swedish king by playing dice. The story is remarkable because Olaf scored 13 points out of a possible 12 due to one of the dice breaking in half and showing a total of 7 points.

Norway legalized betting with the introduction of a law allowing totalizators. A state-run company, Norsk Tipping, was later established to run lotteries. Another similar company was created to accept bets exclusively on horse racing.

Slot machines eventually gained popularity in the country, especially during a certain period when they began appearing in hotels, inns, and stores. These machines became highly profitable and widely used — for more details, you can explore the most popular slot machines norway to see examples of what gained traction.

Norwegians avoided building casinos for many decades, largely due to the government's cautious stance and strict legislation.

Since the 19th century, the government has allowed only two companies to engage in gambling activities. Today, these companies are permitted to operate online platforms, run lotteries, and accept sports bets officially.

The Road to Wealth: Slots

Slot machines became popular in Norway during a certain period. They were installed in hotels, inns, and stores. The machines were owned by individual entrepreneurs.

The profits from these machines were enormous. Total earnings from all slot machines exceeded 26 billion at their peak.

The government later began working on legislation to restrict certain slot machine functions. They decided that only one company should be authorized to operate the machines. Eventually, this policy was implemented. One of the requirements was that all slot revenue be directed to charitable organizations.

Later, the government replaced traditional slot machines with multi-slots. These were tightly regulated with usage restrictions. To play, one had to be at least 18 years old and have a verified account. Bets could only be made using credit cards—cash was prohibited. A player could not lose more than $75 per day or more than $400 per month. The maximum single bet was $10, and the highest possible win was limited to $300. The company stores detailed information about each player, including:

• Account number

• Residential address

• Identity

• Mobile phone number

• Where tickets were purchased

• Wins and losses

• Playing history

Today, there are over 1,200 gaming venues in Norway, featuring around 2,750 slot machines.

Poker

Poker is the most well-known game worldwide, and Norwegians agree. It was once banned in Norway. All major poker tournaments took place outside the country. Eventually, Norwegians were allowed to play poker at home with close friends. However, strict rules apply:

• Only close friends can play

• Professional play is prohibited

• Public games are banned

• No more than 10 participants

• Maximum stake is $100

Since then, annual poker competitions have been held in Norway, with significant prize pools. In the first competition, the winner took home over $1.4 million.

Authorities also allowed freerolls. But even here, restrictions exist. The organizing company is not allowed to advertise foreign casinos—no logos on chips or cards, no banners, and so on.

Norwegians Circumvent the Law: Online Gambling

Although online casinos are banned in Norway, people still find ways to play. Norwegians use the internet to bet, play poker, and use slot machines on foreign-owned websites. A law prevents them from using domestic credit cards, but international operators have devised alternative methods.

Only two companies are allowed to offer online gambling in Norway. One of them runs an online casino with official permission.

In general, Norwegian authorities claim to care deeply for their citizens, which results in laws that often seem confusing or overly strict. For example:

• Riding Segways is prohibited

• Minors under 18 can't visit tanning salons

• All shops are closed on Sundays

• Sports involving knockouts are banned

• Fireworks are banned

There aren’t many of these bans, but they are often viewed as absurd and unnecessary.

Casino by Norsk Tipping

The government allowed Norsk Tipping to launch an online casino, enabling residents to legally gamble from home. This was the first state-approved online casino. The goal was to keep Norwegian money within the country.

Players quickly noticed differences between Norsk Tipping's casino and international ones. Firstly, the site operates on a schedule. Secondly, the selection of games is limited—only around 70. Thirdly, there are strict betting limits. Fourthly, the casino offers no welcome bonuses. Lastly, the slot games are different from those offered abroad.

The only real advantage is that winnings are tax-free, unlike in foreign casinos. However, this also means smaller jackpots.

Future of Gambling in Norway

Norway is currently among the top three European countries in gambling development. It all began when gambling was viewed as something indecent.

The authorities believe that strict laws prevent addiction, but statistics suggest otherwise. A survey revealed that around 30 people were problem gamblers. A follow-up survey later showed that this number had doubled.

Harsh regulations seem to only worsen the problem, pushing people to find ways around them. At one point, the government planned to block foreign casino IP addresses but dropped the idea to avoid public backlash.

Now, authorities appear more open to allowing controlled expansion of the gambling market, aiming to compete with international operators.