Norway plots DNS blocking and further restrictions on payments
Betsson and Kindred say it is business as usual in the jurisdiction despite parliament discussing new measures
Norway’s government has proposed blocking the DNS addresses of all foreign operators in an effort to further protect its state monopoly.
The proposal, put together by the Norwegian regulator (Lotteritilsynet), will be presented in parliament on 7 May and includes amendments to the Payment Prohibition Ban implemented in 2010.
Changes include blocking DNS addresses for foreign operators and prohibiting transactions made via third parties by gambling companies.
The proposal said: “The Lottery Authority has the authority to decide to refuse payment transactions to and from enterprises that carry out payment transactions on behalf of the gaming company and not just payment transactions directly to and from the gaming company.”
In the document, Betsson, Unibet, ComeOn and Guts are mentioned as examples of operators not licensed to provide services in the country.
However, both Betsson and Kindred have said the clampdown is unlikely to impact them.
Betsson group CEO Pontus Lindwall this morning told analysts during the firm’s Q1 results that there is high demand for Betsson products in Norway and the amendments were unlikely to be passed.
“We all have to realise that not many initiatives like this have succeeded. And it’s not a modern initiative to implement this structure,” Lindwall added.
Kindred said the amendments raised concerns around data privacy and freedom of information laws, and would have little significant impact.
“”Not to take this flippantly, but it’s almost business as usual,” the firm said this morning.
Affiliate-giant Catena Media said that although Norway was not an area of focus for the firm the measures could have an insignificant impact on its future revenues.
In January, industry trade group, the EGBA, filed a complaint with the EU claiming Norway’s payment banning measures breached EU and local data laws.