Norway’s Conservative Party Pushes for Gambling Market Liberalisation
Norwegian Conservative Party politician Tage Pettersen has reiterated calls to replace the country’s gambling monopoly with a licensing model. He argues that regulation would improve player protection, as nearly half of the online gambling market is controlled by offshore operators.
Push for Market Liberalisation
Pettersen has been vocal about replacing Norway’s monopoly-based gambling system with a licensing model that would allow private operators to enter the market. He estimates that offshore operators currently control around 50% of Norway’s online gambling sector, making regulation essential for better oversight and consumer protection.
The Conservative Party has included gambling reform in its election manifesto, advocating for a shift away from the monopoly system. According to the party, a restructured market would improve support for those experiencing gambling-related harm.
Industry Expectations and Sweden’s Influence
With multiple political parties pushing for changes, Norway’s gambling landscape could see significant reforms in the coming years. Carl Fredrik Stenstrøm, chief of Norwegian gambling trade association Norsk Bransjeforening for Onlinespill (NBO), has projected that the market may open by 2028.
Pettersen points to Sweden and Denmark as examples of successful transitions from monopoly to licensing models. He notes that neither country has shown interest in reverting to a monopoly system, with Swedish stakeholders even advocating for a further separation of the state from its gambling sector.
Gustaf Hoffstedt, secretary general of Sweden’s BOS trade association, has previously urged the Swedish government to sell its stake in the monopoly operator due to conflicts of interest. Meanwhile, the implementation of a national self-exclusion register in Sweden has strengthened player protections.
“In Sweden, over 110,000 individuals have registered with ‘Spelpaus,’ which blocks access to all licensed gambling operators,” Pettersen noted, emphasizing that Norway could adopt a similar system to improve responsible gambling measures.
Norsk Tipping’s Regulatory Setback
Despite its role as Norway’s state-run gambling operator, Norsk Tipping recently faced scrutiny over player protection failures. In February, the company received a NOK 36 million (€3.1 million) fine after a system glitch prevented users from self-excluding between January and May of the previous year.
Pettersen will present his case at the upcoming Conservative Party conference later in the month.