Norway’s Government has made changes to the country’s gambling regulations to introduce “more responsible frameworks” across bingo halls and electronic bingo games.
The amended regulations will usher in bingo changes related to operator and supplier registration, as well as player loss limits.
To be implemented in two stages across 2025, the Norwegian government amendments come in response to practical challenges documented by industry associations.
From 1 January next year, game suppliers will be required to register to provide content to bingo halls across the country.
Meanwhile, from 1 September 2025, bingo hall customers must be allowed to set loss limits for their play. From the same date, it will be a requirement for each bingo hall to register their venue.
Culture and Equality Minister, Lubna Jaffery, commented: “Electronic bingo games in bingo halls and online in connection with the bingo venue have for a long time been allowed to operate without loss limits, this has come at the expense of vulnerable players and their relatives.
“That is why we are now putting in place more responsible frameworks around these gambling games.”
The amendments are being implemented following a consultation period where more than 500 responses were received.
Jaffery noted that while the Government would have liked to have introduced the new amendments by the turn of the year, they have listened to the input from industry associations to understand the challenges they face with the changes.
The Minister for Culture and Equality added: “Our gambling policy is based on the consideration of people who are in the risk zone for gambling addiction.
“The exclusive rights model is built on accountability, and I therefore believe it is right to primarily take the vulnerable players into account here. The consequences for people with gambling problems and their relatives can be enormous.”
