Tage Pettersen Advocates for Open Gambling Market in Norway

Tage Pettersen Advocates for Open Gambling Market in Norway

A debate over Norway's gambling market is gaining attention as Tage Pettersen, a member of the Høyre party, has called for an end to the country's state-controlled monopoly. He argues that opening the market to competition would improve oversight and player protection, particularly as a significant share of gambling activity already takes place with unregulated offshore operators.

Norway maintains a monopoly system, where Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto are the only authorized gambling providers. While many European countries have moved toward regulated competitive markets, Norway continues to restrict access to licensed operators. Finland, which operates under a similar structure, has already announced plans to introduce a licensing model by 2026. Pettersen suggests that Norway should follow this example, emphasizing that existing restrictions have not prevented players from seeking alternatives outside the regulated system.

In an interview with Moss Avis, Pettersen estimated that half of all online gambling in Norway occurs through offshore platforms. These operators are not subject to Norwegian regulations, meaning the state has little control over consumer protections, responsible gambling measures, or tax collection. The lack of oversight raises concerns about problem gambling, as players using unregulated platforms do not have access to self-exclusion programs or intervention strategies that exist within regulated markets.

Pettersen argues that introducing a licensing framework would give Norwegian authorities greater control over the gambling landscape. He points to Sweden and Denmark, which transitioned from state monopolies to regulated markets, implementing measures such as national self-exclusion registers. These systems allow players to voluntarily restrict their gambling activity across all licensed operators, a safeguard currently unavailable to those in Norway who engage with offshore sites.

Norway has been reported to have one of the highest rates of problem gambling in Europe, though Pettersen suggests that the full extent of the issue is unclear due to the prevalence of unregulated betting. Without access to reliable data from offshore operators, measuring the impact of existing policies or determining how many players are at risk is difficult.

He highlights Sweden's Spelpaus program as an example of how regulation can strengthen consumer protection. The system allows individuals to exclude themselves from all licensed gambling providers, with over 110,000 players already using the service. Similar models exist in Denmark and Finland, where self-exclusion is integrated across the entire regulated sector. Pettersen argues that Norway could implement a comparable system if it moved toward a licensed gambling market, creating a more structured approach to harm prevention.

Gambling regulation is likely to play a role in the upcoming September 2025 elections. Høyre has included market liberalization in its policy proposals, and discussions around reform are expanding beyond a single political party. The Norsk Bransjeforening for Onlinespill (NBO), a gambling industry trade association, has also expressed optimism that the market could open to competition by 2028.

The gambling industry will face significant adjustments if Norway moves toward a licensing model. A regulated market would require compliance with responsible gambling measures, taxation policies, and advertising restrictions. It could also shift revenue dynamics, ensuring gambling-related tax contributions stay within Norway rather than being directed toward offshore entities.

Opponents of liberalization argue that the monopoly model offers greater control over gambling-related harm and reduces exposure to aggressive marketing from private operators. However, advocates for reform believe a licensed market would improve transparency, strengthen consumer protections, and offer a clearer structure for addressing problem gambling.

Norway's decision on gambling regulation will have implications beyond its borders. If the monopoly remains, offshore operators will likely continue attracting Norwegian players, limiting the state's ability to enforce responsible gambling initiatives.

If Norway follows Sweden, Denmark, and Finland in adopting a regulated model, international gambling companies could enter the market, competing with Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto. This could lead to shifts in marketing strategies, new compliance requirements, and potential innovation in product offerings.

The outcome of this debate will determine the future of gambling regulation in Norway. With increasing political attention and other Nordic countries moving toward liberalization, the possibility of a licensed competitive market remains an open question.