Norsk Rikstoto has been granted a 10-year extension of its exclusive license to bet on horse races.
Norway is one of the few European nations that still has a gambling monopoly. Lottery Norsk Tipping has exclusive rights for online casino games, and Norsk Rikstoto is solely responsible for horse race betting.
According to the government, the system of monopolies is needed because Norsk Tipping’s and Norsk Rikstoto’s games “offer high prize money or high profits” as well as a risk that they could cause gambling addictions.
Norsk Rikstoto will have a monopoly for at least another 10 years. The government has announced the extension of its license until the end 2032.
Anette Trettebergstuen is the Minister of Culture and Equality. She believes that Norsk Tipping understands its role as an operator with a monopoly and its goals are aligned to those of government.
She said, “Norsk Rikstoto has shown that it takes its role as exclusive rights provider very seriously. This is good.”
Norway Gambling Priorities
Trettebergstuen said that the Norwegian Government’s number one priority for gambling policy was preventing addiction.
She added, however, that the government also had a goal of raising funds to support good causes and sports. Norsk Rikstoto profits are used to support the Norwegian racing industry.
She said that many Norwegians have gambling addictions, and it is important to stop all negative effects of gambling. The Norwegian Parliament has taken a variety of steps to help reduce gambling problems.
We want to make sure that both sports and volunteerism can benefit from profits made from gambling.
The Norwegian monopoly has been resisted by some operators from abroad, leading to an ongoing dispute between the authorities and Unibet operator Kindred.
In September, regulator Lotteritilsynet warned Kindred that it would impose a fine of NOK1.198m (PS98,902/EUR113,930/$116,930) for every day it did not withdraw from Norway.
Lotteritilsynet announced that the fines for daily play would stop the following month after Kindred stated it was only taking passive Norwegian players.
The regulator re-started the fines last month claiming that Kindred still targeted Norwegians. However, Kindred continues to challenge the fines.
