Several Large Gambling Companies Announce That They Are Withdrawing from Norway

September 19, 2023 | Online Gambling

NORWAY (September 18, 2023) — The company behind Unibet, Betsson, ComeOn and Bet365 has operated illegally in Norway for several years. Now they are in the process of withdrawing from the Norwegian market after we have carried out inspections against them.

– This is a company that is neither allowed to offer nor market gambling to Norwegians. That several of the largest gambling companies that operate illegally in Norway withdraw will prevent gambling problems and contribute to a safer and more responsible gambling offer in the Norwegian market, says Henrik Nordal, director of the Lotteritilsynet.

Norway is not as lucrative a market for illegal gambling companies as it was before. Today, the illegal gambling advertising on TV is gone and the ban on payment processing works well.

– This shows that regulation has an effect. It has become much more difficult for the illegal companies to operate in Norway. We also offer guidance to companies that want to withdraw from the Norwegian market.

 

Picture of director of the Norwegian Lottery Authority, Henrik Nordal.
Henrik Nordal is director of the Norwegian Lottery Authority.

The inspection has covered the following game sites

The company behind these game sites is in the process of withdrawing from the Norwegian market:

  • Unibet
  • Maria casino
  • Major player
  • Bingo
  • Betsson
  • Betsafe
  • Nordicbet
  • Norway’s vending machine
  • CasinoEuro
  • Come On
  • Bet365
  • The People’s Republic
  • GetLucky
  • Mobile bet
  • The mobile vending machine

Notifies several supervisors

The Norwegian Lottery Authority will follow up with supervision of several illegal companies, unless they inform us that they want to withdraw from Norway.

Companies that do not withdraw from the Norwegian market risk having their websites blocked next year, when we get new regulations in place. This means that Norwegian players will be stopped if they try to access any of these sites.

A recent population survey carried out by the University of Bergen on behalf of the Norwegian Lottery Authority shows that the number of Norwegians who have a gambling problem has halved since the previous survey in 2019.

This shows that the work the Norwegian Lottery Authority has done to stop illegal companies has had a good effect, but there are still illegal gambling companies in the Norwegian market.

SOURCE: Norwegian Lottery Authority.

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