The Norwegian Media Authority bans foreign gambling TV adverts
TV distributors have been ordered to stop the adverts on Discovery’s TV channels
The Norwegian Media Authority (NGA) has informed distributors Telenor, Telia, Altibox, RiksTV and Allente to stop the broadcasts of gambling adverts across the Discovery network.
Currently, adverts for Unibet, Betsson, Nordicbet and Betsafe are broadcast across four Discovery channels and advertising from non-licensed operators is prohibited in Norway where the government operates a state monopoly.
The NGA has set a deadline of 15 August this year for the distributors to comply with this order. If firms fail to comply with this order they will face sanctions including coercive fines.
The aim of this crackdown is to try and stop the recruitment of illegal gambling and to try and curtail the number of problem gamblers in Norway.
Department director for gambling at the Norwegian Lotteries Authority, Henrik Nordal said: “We have been working to stop the illegal advertising for several years.
“That is why we are very happy that the Norwegian Media Authority is now making a decision ordering Norwegian TV distributors to intervene and stop the illegal marketing.”
A recent population survey in Norway found that there are 55,000 problem gamblers in the country. Another report done by the University of Bergen, which found that problem gambling costs society NOK5.1bn (£442.89m) a year.
“Now gaming companies, Norwegian TV distributors, TV channels and ambassadors for companies should use the opportunity to stop further cooperation. This is how one can take social responsibility, and contribute to reducing illegal gambling in Norway,” Nordal concluded.