Kindred Group to fight new Norway banning order
Stockholm-listed operator reveals intention to challenge the legality of latest ruling in Oslo Town Court
Kindred Group will continue to accept Norwegian consumers despite being dealt another blow by the country’s online gambling regulators.
The operator’s 2019 Norwegian gambling ban was this week upheld by the lottery authority (Lotterinemnda), which adjudicates on complaints and operates under the Ministry of Culture.
Kindred Group offers betting and gaming services to Norwegian customers via its Trannel International subsidiary and Maria Casino, Unibet and Storspelare brands.
Kindred had previously appealed the decision on the grounds it is headquartered in Malta and that its Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) licence grants it the right to offer gambling in Norway.
But the appeal was quashed after the lottery authority suggested Kindred offered deposits and prizes in Norwegian currency, as well as Norwegian linguistic support and the use of Norwegian brand ambassadors, including chess maestro Magnus Carlsen.
👑Välkommen, @MagnusCarlsen ♟️
Läs mer: https://t.co/SU3xLC9BKG pic.twitter.com/xFyGadw2FQ— Unibet Sverige (@Unibet_Sverige) January 30, 2020
“Trannel International Limited does not have licences from the Norwegian government to offer or market games in Norway and cannot offer gambling in Norway,” said lottery authority senior advisor Trude Felde. “The lottery committee confirms our decision fully.”
Kindred Group will however continue to accept Norwegian players, having chosen to challenge the legality of the Norwegian Gaming Authority’s order in the Oslo Town Court.
Kindred Group said: “The Norwegian Gaming Authority does not have the jurisdiction to intervene against foreign operations even if one chooses to accept Norwegian customers. We will therefore continue to accept Norwegian customers.”