Betting and gambling are part of the entertainment culture in many places around the world, but in Norway the regulations are particularly strict. Norway has chosen a monopoly model where Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto are the only players with permission to offer gambling. Understanding the rules is important – for both consumers and providers – to avoid violations of laws and regulations.
This article provides a review of:
- The monopoly and the legal actors
- Current gambling laws and supervision
- Age limit and liability measures
- Tax rules for winnings
- Foreign actors and government measures
- Payment rules and sanctions
Norwegian Tipping and Norwegian Rikstoto – what the monopoly means
The monopoly means that only two state-controlled operators are permitted to offer betting and gambling in Norway:
- Norwegian Betting (sports betting, lottery, casino etc.)
- Norwegian National Lottery (horse racing/trotting)
The scheme was established to ensure accountability, prevent addiction and reduce crime. The monopoly is also justified by the fact that the profits go to sports, culture and volunteering.
Gambling laws and supervision in Norway
The central law is the Gambling Act of 2022 , which brought together previous laws under one set of regulations. The law gives Lottstift responsibility for supervising the market.
Lottstift has the authority to:
- grant and revoke permissions
- monitor gaming providers
- require measures such as DNS blocking of illegal websites
- order banks to stop payment transactions to/from foreign operators
Consumers in Norway can legally play at Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto. Playing at other operators is not permitted, but criminal prosecution is primarily directed at the providers, not individuals.
18+ and responsible gaming
The age limit for participating in gambling in Norway is 18 years . The exception is some traditional lotteries (e.g. bazaar), but most digital gaming offers are 18+.
Monopolists are required to have tools such as:
- loss limits and time limits
- self-exclusion (temporary or permanent)
- available information about risk and liability
For help, there is, among other things, the Helpline for Gambling Addiction (hjelpelinjen.no).
Tax rules for winnings
Tax liability depends on where the winnings are won:
- Winnings from Norsk Tipping/Norsk Rikstoto are tax-free .
- As a general rule, profits from foreign providers taxable .
According to the Norwegian Tax Administration, tax liability applies when the gain exceeds 10,000 NOK from an individual actor during a calendar year. The amount must be stated in the tax return.
Example: If you win 15,000 NOK from a foreign operator, the entire amount is taxable.
Foreign actors – status and risk
Despite the monopoly, several international gaming companies have tried to target Norwegian customers. The rules are clear: these companies are not allowed to market or offer games in Norway.
The authorities use, among other things:
- payment blocking (bank transfers can be stopped)
- DNS blocking of websites
Payment rules and restrictions
Banks and payment processors in Norway are required to prevent transactions to illegal gambling companies. This may result in some payments not going through if the recipient is blocked.
Consumers are responsible for following Norwegian legislation and should be aware that the regulations are actively enforced.
Penalties and enforcement in practice
The main responsibility lies with providers. Foreign companies can be fined and blocked. For private individuals, sanctions are rare, but the regulations allow for reactions if violations are considered serious.
| Theme | Norwegian operators (Norwegian Tipping/Rikstoto) | Foreign actors |
|---|---|---|
| License | Norwegian authorities | No Norwegian license |
| Surplus | For sports, culture, volunteering | For private companies |
| Responsibility measures | Loss limits, time limits, self-exclusion | Varies |
| Age limit | 18 years | Usually 18+, but varying enforcement |
| Availability | Fully legal in Norway | Not allowed to offer in Norway |
Summary and resources
Norway has a strictly regulated betting and gambling market, with a monopoly for Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto. Lottstift supervises, and the authorities use several instruments to prevent illegal activities. Consumers must be aware of age limits, tax rules and payment restrictions.
