Online gambling in Norway
Norway is one of a number of countries within the European Community that is trying to impose restrictions on resident access to foreign online gambling operators, including those licensed in other European Economic Area (EEA) countries. In late 2008 the Norwegian government approved a proposal to implement UIGEA (US gambling transaction restrictions law) style restrictions on financial institutions’ ability to process transactions between Norwegians and online gambling sites. The restrictions will not apply to local State owned monopoly operators.
The laws are due to come into operation towards the end of 2009. However, as a protectionist measure that is arguably in breach of overarching European Community laws with regard to free trade between EEA Members, the laws have attracted scrutiny from the Surveillance Authority of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The EFTA’s mandate is to promote free trade and partnership agreements between its members (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland) and other EU Members to create a single European Community ‘Internal Market’. The EFTA informed the Norwegian Government in July 2009 that the blocking of financial transactions to and from operators legally established within the Internal Market is a violation of EFTA regulations and if the laws are in fact implemented, infringement procedures may be commenced.
It’s an interesting time for online gambling in Norway. Historically a rich online gambling market, a number of operators currently tailor their services to Norsk players with regard to language capabilities and NOK account keeping options.
[Update February 2010]
Despite EFTA advice to contrary, the Norwegian Government passed legislation designed to block payments made by players to online gambling operators not licensed in Norway. The laws are similar to America’s UIGEA provisions in that they target the payment processors rather than players or operators. The laws received Royal Assent on 23 February and are set to begin 1 June 2010.
Best live casino for Norwegian players
The below online casinos all offer live dealer games, Norwegian currency banking options and some offer Norwegian language support capabilities.
 Casinos |
 Player access |
 Banking |
 Toll free support |
 Local language |
 Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Read review | Visit |
No restrictions on sign-ups of players from Norway | No deposit restrictions. Maintain account in € EURO or NOK |
Yes | Full Norwegian language website and support capability | EU and Asian based dealer studios with blackjack, baccarat, roulette & baccarat variations. |
 Read review | Visit |
No restrictions | No deposit restrictions Maintain account in EURO or Swedish Krona (SEK) |
Yes | Yes | European based dealer room with Euro centric games dedicated live room |
 Read review | Visit |
No restrictions | No deposit restrictions Maintain account in USD or EURO |
Yes | Yes | European based dealer room with Euro centric games dedicated live room |
 Read review | Visit |
No restrictions on Norwegian player sign-ups | No deposit restrictions. Maintain account in € EURO or NOK |
No | European based dealer room with Euro centric games. |
