Norway gambling reform advocates remain hopeful despite monopoly

Norway’s gambling reform campaigners are still optimistic about eventual progress, even though the centre-left Labour Party secured victory in the September election, said Carl Fredrik Stenstrøm, secretary general of the Norwegian gaming association (NBO).

He acknowledged that the result ensures Norway’s state-run monopoly system will remain in place for at least another two years.

Stenstrøm, however, stressed that growing parliamentary backing for a licensing system provides grounds for continued hope. In the 8 September vote, the Labour Party formed a coalition of five parties that firmly support Norsk Tipping’s monopoly. By contrast, the Conservative Party, Progress Party, and Liberal Party had each advocated for a licensing framework prior to the election.

He emphasized that the central issue should be player protection rather than government revenue. Stenstrøm argued that a regulated licensing model would more effectively channel players toward legitimate operators that offer stronger safeguards.

Fredrik Stenstrøm, secretary general of the Norwegian gaming association, mentioned:

The most important argumentwould be the need for a better protection of problem gamblers, and that’s the only reason that you have a monopoly in Norway.

It’s not about the money. It’s not about money going to good causes, even though that is the hot potato in Norway.

Recent controversies surrounding state-owned Norsk Tipping have strengthened demands for reform, as the operator has encountered several regulatory setbacks – including instances where incorrect lottery winners were selected over prolonged periods.

Fredrik Stenstrøm, secretary general of the Norwegian gaming association, added:

They’ve been drawing the wrong winners on the Euro jackpot and this lottery for 10 years. They’ve been drawing the wrong winners every Tuesday and every Friday for 10 years.

I guess they’ve been focusing more on talking about protecting the monopoly then actually running their business.

The issues were not limited to lottery errors, as a betting system was allegedly offline for eight months without being detected by officials. According to Stenstrøm, such failures highlight flawed priorities within Norsk Tipping.

He added that even the national regulator has expressed criticism of Norsk Tipping, questioning aspects of how the monopoly is managed.

Looking forward, Stenstrøm stressed that his association will persist in lobbying across the political spectrum, while noting that developments in nearby countries could shape Norway’s direction. Finland’s plan to open up its gambling market in 2027, he said, could prove especially influential.

Fredrik Stenstrøm, secretary general of the Norwegian gaming association, further added:

Finland is now very important for Norway because they are quite similar to us, and with Finland now opening up the market from 2027, politicians are very interested and leaning on what’s happening there as well.

I don’t only highlight everything that works. I’m also talking about the problems that you have in Sweden, for instance.

There’s going to be changes within the parties coming forward, and we haven’t never been this close. It’s going to take some time, but still our work continues.