Best 3 Betting Sites in Norway

Gambling in Norway

The economic status in Norway is one of the best globally. Having a strong economic background means that a country has plenty of disposable income. In Norway, this disposable income allows citizens to engage in gambling activities without straining financially. However, the Norwegian government is stringent when it comes to matters relating to gambling. The government has put up very strict restrictions and regulations on Norwegians who engage in gambling activities.

Norwegians love gaming activities such as poker, horse racing, card games among others, but the government sees these gaming activities as problematic and an impending disaster for citizens who might get caught up in gambling addiction. They also restrict gambling to try and protect local sportsbooks. These government restrictions look quite serious when looked at face value, and one might think that Norwegians don’t engage in gaming activities, but it is not quite the case. Norwegians who love gambling always find a way through these laws and register with offshore gambling sites.

The Norwegian government has only licensed two online bookies in the whole country. The problem with these bookies is that they do not offer Norwegians the excitement that comes with placing bets. They are quite outdated in terms of technology, the odds fall far below those offered in other bookmakers, and the games are quite traditional. Thus, Norwegians who are lovers of quality and who want to make sure that they get value for their money prefer to place bets in other online bookmakers.

Is gambling in Norway legal?

The Norwegian government has always had concerns regarding betting activities in the country since time immemorial. The gambling activities in Norway are closely monitored by the government. Currently, most forms of gambling activities are illegal in Norway, and only two companies; Norsk Rikstoto and Norsk Tipping have permission from the Norway government to offer gaming activities.

This kind of strictness goes back to one hundred years ago back in 1902. During this period, the Norwegian Penal Code was implemented. This Code allowed only gambling sites with an exclusive license to offer games of chance. The government also made the process of obtaining this license quite strenuous, and this led to the monopolization of the gaming industry by the authorities.

Soon after this Penal Code law was put in place, the Totalisator Act was implemented in 1927. Due to this act, Norsk Rikstoto was given a monopoly over horse racing activities in Norway. When this happened, the Norwegian government did nothing to amend the laws pertaining to gaming over the next many years. However, in 1992, Norsk Tipping was granted permission on running a monopoly on lotto, football and other sporting activities in Norway. This was the same year when the Gaming Act was implemented.

Three years later, the Lottery Act was implemented. This Act regulated all Lottery games and betting mediums offering Lotto games. Due to great technological advancements, the laws implemented back in the years became outdated. In 2000, the government banned all slot machine games,, and they replaced them with video poker terminals where Norsk Tipping had control over. This was not the only challenge faced by players in Norway. The regulations went further to limit the betting amount that each player spent on a video poker terminal. They did this using a special card that had daily limits imposed on it.

As if these restrictions on slot machines was not enough, the Norwegian government in 2008 banned its citizens from placing bets with foreign bookmakers. This restriction, however, did not deter Norwegian bettors from placing wagers with offshore bookies.

The bookies were especially kind to Norwegian players by allowing them to place bets and also offering payment methods in the country’s currency. This did not discourage the Norwegian government as it took an even greater step by banning the transaction of finances between Norwegian citizens and offline bookmakers. They stopped the use of debit and credit cards. Norwegians found a way to work with e-wallets, and also banking sites did not place prudent measures on monitoring financial transactions between Norwegians and offshore bookmakers.

To date, the government still tries to restrict bets between its citizens and offshore bookmakers. They want gambling activities to remain within their territory. Gambling activities, including online gaming, are considered illegal in Norway. It is also unlawful for Norwegians to organize gambling parties at their residences. However, Norwegian players always find their way around these regulations and manage to register with foreign bookmakers.

Do Norwegian Players get restricted by some bookmakers? Why?

Even though most offshore bookmakers know that the Norwegian government is against their citizens registering and placing bets with offshore gaming sites, they still welcome Norwegian players. They do this because they know citizens from Norway have no problem wagering high amounts of cash provided the odds are high, the games are advanced in technology, and the customer service is excellent. There are over 300 foreign bookmakers offering services to Norwegian players.

Most of the foreign bookmakers can process payments in the Norwegian currency known as the Norwegian Krone. Even though these activities have been deemed illegal by the Norwegian government, no measures have been taken to do away with them completely.

How much tax do you pay on gambling winnings in Norway?

In Norway, the gambling activities are monopolized. The Norwegian Gaming Authority controls gaming activities in the country. In Norway, the gambling income is under the random income category and thus is considered taxable income. According to the law, tax is imposed on a Norwegian citizen is the winnings are from competitions, lotteries and games and when the amount is greater than 10.000 NOK. However, this rule is for winnings gotten from foreign gambling companies.

There are however exemptions on the amount of tax a Norwegian player should pay. For instance, a Norwegian gambler will not pay tax if the income is from Norsk Tipping AS if the amount is won as a prize from events held by companies or organizations having a valid lottery license and if the games fall under the totalisatorspill-loven betting act. They will also not pay tax if the winnings are from publicly held events arranged by mass-media.