The potential demise of the gambling monopoly in Norway appears imminent.
Norwegian Gaming Bodies Join Forces to Challenge Monopoly
The Norwegian Online Gaming Association (NBO) and the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) have recently joined forces, aiming to advocate for a more open and regulated gambling market in Norway. Their ultimate goal is to potentially overthrow the current gambling monopoly in the country in the near future.
Long-Standing Demand for Monopoly's Abolition
The partnership between the two organizations was revealed in a press release on January 25 [link]. Their focus will primarily revolve around regulating the betting industry and maintaining its integrity. Together, they seek to convince the Norwegian government to deregulate the market and break the state gambling monopoly.
The concept of dismantling the state gambling monopoly has been a topic of discussion for quite some time now. In other Scandinavian countries like Finland, Sweden, or Denmark, governing bodies have been working for years to implement licensing systems for gambling providers.
Presently, Norway is only served by two state-owned gambling services: Norsk Tipping for online casino games and sports betting, and Norsk Rikstoto for horse racing bets.
Insight into the IBIA
The IBIA [link] stands as the International Betting Integrity Association, established in 2005. As described by the organization itself, it serves as the driving force behind integrity for licensed betting operators. To safeguard the betting industry from corruption and protect sports integrity, the IBIA partners with various organizations.
To join the IBIA, potential members must go through a rigorous vetting process. With membership, they commit to upholding the organization's code of conduct and promoting responsible gambling practices. Additionally, the IBIA offers training and education programs, focusing on topics such as betting fraud and the safeguarding of integrity.
As per its declarations, the IBIA operates on six continents and functions as a non-profit organization.
Monopoly: An Outdated Concept
In line with their announcement, the IBIA and NBO have also shared their predictions for the year 2024. According to these forecasts, 43% of all bets will be placed with foreign providers.
Carl Fredrik Stenstrøm, Secretary-General of the NBO, said in an interview with iGaming Business, "Growing signs suggest that the Norwegian monopoly is no longer viable for consumer protection or industry integrity." He further emphasized that sports betting is a digital and global service that should not be restricted to a particular location. However, he stressed the need for a regulatory framework to govern the industry.
Khalid Ali, CEO of the IBIA, has also expressed support for the NBO in its fight against the Norwegian gambling monopoly. He believes that the current monopoly hampers market oversight, consumer protection, and the implementation of effective measures to ensure the integrity of sports betting.
The Norwegian government has yet to respond to the IBIA and NBO's collaboration. It remains to be seen if the abolition of the Norwegian gambling monopoly will be considered by the government in the near future.
Finland: Embracing Change
In contrast, Finland aims to abolish its current gambling monopoly by 2026 and replace it with a licensing system. Veikkaus, being the sole provider of gambling services in the country at present, will soon be displaced by this new system.
Numerous studies suggest that problem gambling is rampant in Finland, with many players resorting to unlicensed providers. The introduction of a licensing system aims to establish an authoritative body equipped with the necessary resources to fortify player protection and combat money laundering in gambling activities.
Whether Norway decides to follow this path remains to be seen in the coming months.
After revealing their partnership, the Norwegian Online Gaming Association and the International Betting Integrity Association are determined to persuade the Norwegian government to abolish the current gambling monopoly, using the examples of other Scandinavian countries like Finland, which are working towards implementing licensing systems.
The news of the collaborative effort between the NBO and IBIA to challenge the Norwegian gambling monopoly has sparked discussions among betting analysts and industry insiders, with many expressing support for the move.
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