The Norwegian Ministry of Culture and Equality has initiated a fast‑track public consultation proposing amendments to national gambling regulations that would allow the state-owned operator, Norsk Tipping, to offer online poker legally for the first time.
The consultation, published on 29 September, forms part of a broader strategy to draw players from unregulated foreign platforms into the regulated market.
It also introduces enhanced reporting obligations for major gambling providers.
The consultation seeks to amend the gambling regulations to explicitly authorise Norsk Tipping to provide “nettpoker” across two permitted formats: tournament poker (turneringspoker) and cash games.
Given poker’s unique combination of chance and skill, as well as its widespread availability on unregulated sites, the government positioned this as a natural extension of the gambling monopoly’s existing online remit.
Under current legislation Norsk Tipping must oversee games that warrant “special public control” due to high stakes or gambling-related risks.
Measures to mitigate gambling harms
To ensure responsible gambling, the consultation outlined stringent design and control features aimed at reducing harm while maintaining product appeal to channel illicit players into the regulated market.
Players would face a daily loss cap of NOK5,000 ($521) and a monthly limit of NOK10,000. Those under the age of 20 would have a stricter monthly cap of NOK2,000.
Tournament buy-ins are limited to NOK2,500 including fees, with cash-game buy-ins capped at NOK1,000. For cash games, maximum blinds would be NOK10 (big blind) and NOK5 (small blind).
Tournament players would be required to take a mandatory five-minute break after each hour played. Cash-game players can set personal time limits, with Norsk Tipping expected to implement specialised monitoring tools.
Players would also be restricted to a maximum of four tables simultaneously to limit loss of control. If players switched directly between poker and online casino products then a 15-minute enforced pause would initiate.
The consultation also invited views on whether online poker marketing should be banned or heavily restricted, particularly to protect young or vulnerable users attracted by poker’s cultural status.
Furthermore, the ministry proposed introducing a mandatory incident reporting duty for the largest gambling operators, including Norsk Tipping, Norsk Rikstoto and key bingo and lottery suppliers.
This would require proactive disclosure to Lotteritilsynet of serious incidents and operational deviations, supporting earlier regulatory intervention and higher market transparency.
Administrative adjustments for local bingo revenue
The consultation also proposed practical reforms in disbursing proceeds from local bingo activities. Requirements included verified bank accounts linked to the national Voluntary Organisations Register and active registration status at the time of payment. Unclaimed funds would revert to Norsk Tipping for redistribution according to existing guidelines.
The Norsk Pokerforbund (Norwegian Poker Federation) had previously voiced support for a regulated domestic product, citing safer conditions compared to unregulated platforms.
The need for regulatory update
Norway’s current gambling laws underpin a state monopoly system. Commercial gambling operators remain prohibited from marketing their services to Norwegian players.
A number of grey market poker operators have pulled out of Norway in the last few years, leaving a gap in the market. PokerStars exited in 2023, while Unibet and 888 also removed their local offering.
A 2022 survey by the University of Bergen cited by the ministry found that nearly 90,000 Norwegians engaged in online poker annually through overseas platforms.
Norsk Tipping’s own market research suggested this figure may be even higher, estimating between 100,000 and 150,000 players each year, with up to 130,000 active per quarter.
Minister of Culture and Equality Lubna Jaffery (Labour) emphasised harm reduction as the motivation behind the proposed regulatory change.
“Many Norwegians play online poker. It is better that we get a responsible and safer offer here in Norway, rather than unregulated games at foreign, commercial gaming companies,” she stated.
Kathryn Evans
Kathryn covers bitesize breaking news with a primary focus on EMEA and US legislation. A proud North Walian, fluent Welsh speaker and lifelong Wrexham FC fan – long before Hollywood came calling.