Norwegian regulator warns media firms over illegal gambling advertising
Gaming Authority calls on publishers to discontinue odds advertising on Norwegian elections
The Norwegian Gaming Authority (NGA) has warned 13 Norwegian publishing houses that the publication of odds from unlicensed betting providers constitutes illegal gambling advertising.
In a five-page letter, the NGA said it had identified 49 articles in Norwegian newspapers featuring odds from sites which are not currently licensed in Norway.
The letter warns publishers they are enabling unlicensed operators to “gain legitimacy” and increase their activity in Norway. The NGA said it has not actively undertaken a regulatory review of these articles but said it would do so if they continued to appear in publications.
It calls on editors at the 13 publishing houses to be more “conscious and critical” when writing articles which feature illegal gambling firms, adding that all publications should confirm the illegal nature of the site being referenced within the article.
The NGA highlighted the use of press releases by unlicensed gambling operators which it claims are being used to “circumvent” Norwegian gambling laws. It references two examples where the language used within the release constituted a violation of the marketing ban, despite being editorial and not advertorial in nature.
Under Norwegian law, only Norsk Tipping and Norsk Risktoto can legally offer gambling in Norway and all advertising of unlicensed gambling is banned.
Norwegian regulators have been active in enforcing the monopoly in recent months, initiating payment blocking that has been supported by the country’s courts, and warning the Chess Federation off a partnership with Kindred.
The full letter can be accessed here.