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Norwegian authorities have taken a big step in their fight against illegal gambling. The country’s gambling regulator, Lotteritilsynet, has blocked multiple unlicensed gambling websites to protect players and reduce gambling-related harm.
First Round of Website Blocking
On April 1, Lotteritilsynet announced that it had blocked access to gambling sites operated by 23 different companies. This marks the first round of restrictions as part of a broader crackdown on illegal gambling activities.
DNS blocking, the method used by the regulator, prevents players from accessing illegal sites. Instead, users trying to visit these websites will be redirected to an informational page by their internet service provider. This page explains that while the site itself is illegal, players were not committing a crime by attempting to gamble there.
Reducing Gambling Harm in Norway
Lotteritilsynet lawyer Silje Sægrov Amble emphasized that blocking illegal gambling websites is crucial in protecting vulnerable players.
“Blocking illegal websites will help fewer people develop gambling problems,” Amble stated. “These are the games that have the highest risk. They are designed to get you hooked and you can lose a lot of money in a short time.”
Operators Exit Norway After Warning
Before implementing the blocks, Lotteritilsynet had already warned nearly 50 companies about the crackdown last autumn. At the time, around 100 websites were identified as operating illegally in Norway. Since then, nearly 40 of those sites have voluntarily withdrawn from the market, avoiding further enforcement action.
The regulator has not disclosed the names of the blocked sites. However, it did confirm that some of the largest companies in the industry had chosen to exit Norway after receiving the warning.
Other Measures to Stop Illegal Gambling
Blocking websites is just one of several actions Norway is taking to prevent illegal gambling. Amble noted that other steps, such as stopping TV advertisements for unlicensed gambling and preventing Norwegian banks from processing payments to and from these sites, have also made it harder for illegal operators to target players.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult to be an illegal gambling company in Norway,” Amble said. “There are several reasons for this. TV advertising is gone and Norwegian banks are stopping bets and winnings to and from these companies.”
Confusion About Legal Gambling Sites
Despite these efforts, many Norwegian players remain unsure about which gambling websites are legally allowed to operate in the country. According to surveys conducted by Sentio, about 50% of Norwegians do not know which operators are legally approved.
To address this issue, Amble has called for the regulator to be granted more power to oversee the market and take action against illegal sites more effectively.
“Players do not know about the risk,” she said. “We believe most people want information that they are entering an illegal game. Therefore, blocking is also an information measure.”
Norway’s Tough Stance on Gambling
Norway has some of the strictest gambling regulations in the world, allowing only a few state-controlled operators to offer legal gambling services. The latest efforts show that the country remains committed to keeping gambling safe and controlled while making it increasingly difficult for unlicensed companies to operate.
With more blocks expected in the future, Norway is sending a clear message: illegal gambling will not be tolerated.
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