Norway Online Casino Law 2026: Is It Legal?

Published by Casino News Daily editorial teamReviewed byFilip RadulovicOur editorial approach

Norway is one of the few European states that still organises almost all gambling through exclusive rights, often called a monopoly model. A monopoly in this sense means the law reserves a type of gambling to one designated operator. In Norway, two operators hold such rights: the state-owned Norsk Tipping and the foundation Norsk Rikstoto. Commercial operators cannot obtain a Norwegian licence for online casino games or sports betting. Gambling without Norwegian permission may not be offered or marketed to people in Norway, and payments to it are blocked. Since 2025 the regulator has also been able to order internet providers to block websites. This guide explains the legal basis of the model, how it is enforced, the position of players, taxation, consumer protection and the developments of 2025–2026.

Key points

The Gambling Act (pengespilloven) of 18 March 2022, in force since 1 January 2023, replaced three older acts dating from 1927, 1992 and 1995.
Norsk Tipping holds exclusive rights to lotteries, sports betting, casino-type games and online bingo. Norsk Rikstoto holds exclusive rights to horse-race betting.
Offering, marketing or processing payments for gambling not permitted in Norway is prohibited. DNS blocking of unlicensed sites began on 1 April 2025.
The regulator states that players do nothing illegal by visiting or using foreign sites. The prohibitions are directed at operators, promoters and intermediaries.
Norsk Tipping applies a maximum loss limit of NOK 20,000 a month across its games. Hjelpelinjen (800 800 40) is the national gambling helpline.
In September 2026 the government proposed allowing Norsk Tipping to offer online poker and adopted more detailed rules on DNS blocking.

Last reviewed: 21 October 2026.

Historical development

Illustrated Norway landmarks with reference books and documents for the overview section

Norwegian gambling law developed through separate statutes for different types of game. Until 2022, the main instruments were the Totalisator Act of 1927 (horse-race betting), the Gaming Act of 1992 (Norsk Tipping’s games) and the Lottery Act of 1995 (other lotteries, bingo and gaming machines). The Norwegian encyclopaedia Store norske leksikon notes that the new Gambling Act consolidated these three statutes into a single, more user-friendly framework with consistent terminology.

The two exclusive-rights operators have long histories. Norsk Tipping began in 1948 with a weekly football pools coupon, according to the company’s own description of the market. It is wholly state-owned, and the Ministry of Culture and Equality exercises the state’s ownership. Norsk Rikstoto was established on 24 September 1982 by Det Norske Travselskap and Norsk Galopp. Store norske leksikon records that since 1996 it has had overall responsibility for the financial management of totalisator betting at Norwegian racecourses. Its surplus must benefit horse sport and horse breeding. In 2024 that surplus was NOK 494 million, most of which went to Det Norske Travselskap.

The model has been tested under the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement, which applies EU single-market rules to Norway. In Case E-3/06, Ladbrokes Ltd v Norway (judgment of 30 May 2007), the EFTA Court considered whether Norway’s restrictions on gambling services were compatible with the EEA rules on establishment and services (Articles 31 and 36). It assessed whether they pursued legitimate aims in a suitable, consistent and necessary way. More recently, in Case E-8/23, Trannel International (advisory opinion of 13 May 2024), the EFTA Court addressed whether Norsk Rikstoto’s exclusive right was a service concession requiring competitive tendering or an administrative authorisation. It set out the criteria and left their application to the Oslo District Court.

Legal framework

The Gambling Act (Lov om pengespill, Act No. 12 of 18 March 2022) was introduced in Prop. 220 L (2020–2021), adopted by the Storting in March 2022 and brought into force on 1 January 2023. Its stated aims are to prevent gambling problems and other negative consequences of gambling and to ensure that gambling is conducted safely. It also keeps the principle that gambling revenue should benefit non-profit purposes rather than private profit. The Storting’s case record notes that the Act preserved the exclusive-rights model while strengthening the regulator’s supervisory role.

Several provisions are central to the regulation of online gambling:

Marketing: section 6 prohibits marketing, or assisting in the marketing of, gambling that is not permitted under the Act. The regulator has applied this to social-media influencers who promoted an unlicensed casino. One example is a regulator notice of 19 June 2024 covering videos, links, logos and livestreamed play, whether or not the promoter was paid.
Payments: section 5 prohibits facilitating payments for gambling that lacks Norwegian permission. Norwegian banks must stop transfers to and from such operators.
DNS blocking: section 32 a, added by an amending act adopted in March 2024 and in force since 1 January 2025, allows the regulator to order internet service providers to block websites that offer unlicensed gambling directed at the Norwegian market.

Broadcasting law forms a further layer. According to the media regulator Medietilsynet, an amendment to the Broadcasting Act that took effect on 1 January 2021 enabled it to act against illegal gambling advertising shown on Norwegian television by foreign broadcasters. Medietilsynet reported that total gambling advertising spending fell by about a third in the following year.

Regulator and permitted providers

The Norwegian Gaming Authority (Lotteri- og stiftelsestilsynet, often shortened to Lotteritilsynet) supervises the market under the Ministry of Culture and Equality. Its guide to gambling companies permitted in Norway sets out who may offer gambling:

Norsk Tipping: exclusive rights to lotteries, sports betting, casino games, bingo and entertainment games, both online and through retail agents.
Stiftelsen Norsk Rikstoto: exclusive rights to horse-race betting.
Bingo operators, and the lotteries Pantelotteriet and Norsk Postkodelotteri, which operate with permission.
Non-profit organisations with prior approval for their lotteries.
Ships on regular routes between Norwegian and foreign ports, which may offer gambling on board.

Permitted online providers are expected to display the official “Tillatt i Norge” (“permitted in Norway”) mark. The regulator warns that some foreign websites present themselves as Norwegian, with Norwegian-language pages and payment options, although they have no Norwegian permission. A Norwegian-language website is not evidence of authorisation.

Online gambling and enforcement

Online casino games, sports betting and lotteries are available lawfully only through Norsk Tipping and, for horse racing, Norsk Rikstoto. No licence route exists for other operators. Enforcement against foreign sites has three main strands.

Payment blocking. Norwegian financial institutions are obliged to stop transactions to and from gambling companies that lack Norwegian permission. The regulator acknowledges that operators try to circumvent this, for example through intermediaries or crypto-assets.

DNS blocking. DNS (Domain Name System) blocking means that internet providers stop resolving a website’s domain name, so users see a landing page instead of the site. The regulator announced on 1 April 2025 that the first 57 websites, belonging to 23 companies, were being blocked. Earlier warnings to about 50 companies concerning some 100 websites had led to changes on nearly 40 sites. A second round followed. A notice of 24 November 2025 listed 178 websites, and the decision of 19 February 2026 ordered blocking of 134. The regulator must show that the benefits of each blocking outweigh its disadvantages. Regulations announced by the Ministry of Culture and Equality on 21 September 2026 require the landing page to state that Norwegian authorities have blocked the site, to give contact details for Hjelpelinjen, and prohibit storing personal data about people who try to visit blocked sites.

Marketing enforcement. Orders under section 6 target advertisers, affiliates and influencers, as described above, and Medietilsynet handles television advertising.

The scale of the offshore market is estimated rather than measured. The regulator’s report on the 2024 gambling year put the regulated market’s net revenue at about NOK 12.8 billion, and estimated Norwegians’ net losses to unlicensed foreign operators at NOK 1.1–1.5 billion, roughly 9% of the total market. In its survey, 7% of online players said they had played on foreign sites. The comparable key figures for 2023 were NOK 12.0 billion and NOK 1.4–1.9 billion.

Position of players

The prohibitions in the Gambling Act are aimed at those who offer, market or facilitate gambling, not at those who play. The regulator’s questions and answers on website blocking state that it is not illegal to try to reach a blocked gambling site, because it is the gambling companies that are not allowed to offer gambling. It is also not illegal to get round the blocking, for example with a VPN, although the regulator advises against playing with such companies. The landing page shown on blocked sites tells visitors that they have done nothing unlawful. We found no record of Norwegian players being prosecuted for playing with foreign operators.

Players with unlicensed operators nonetheless carry real risks. The regulator points to unpaid winnings, exposure to money laundering, and the possibility that a bank refuses a transfer because of payment blocking. Norwegian consumer-protection tools, such as mandatory loss limits, also do not apply.

Taxation

Because the market is built around exclusive rights, public revenue from gambling comes mainly from the distribution of the operators’ surpluses, which the government distributes according to allocations decided by Parliament, in line with the Act’s principle that gambling revenue should serve non-profit purposes. Norsk Rikstoto’s surplus goes to the horse sector.

For players, the general rule in section 5-50 of the Tax Act (skatteloven) treats random gains, including gambling winnings, as taxable income when their value exceeds NOK 10,000. Section 5-50(2)(d) exempts winnings from games in other EEA states that correspond to games lawful in Norway and are under public supervision; the tax authorities have argued that this covers only games whose proceeds go to non-profit purposes, so winnings from commercial online casinos may not qualify. Large-scale play can also be assessed differently. In a decision of 17 December 2020, the Tax Appeals Board found that winnings from extensive, multi-year casino play with a foreign company were not “random” gains and therefore not taxable, without ruling on the EEA exemption. The Tax Administration’s statement of principle of 3 July 2023 says that winnings from games of chance played on a large scale are not random income, while winnings from targeted, skill-based play are assessed under the business-income rules. Individuals in doubt should consult the Tax Administration.

Consumer protection and responsible gambling

Norsk Tipping’s games are subject to mandatory limits. According to the company’s explanation of its overall loss limits, introduced in autumn 2016, each player sets their own limit, up to a maximum loss of NOK 20,000 a month across its games. Stricter individual limits of NOK 2,500–10,000 a month apply to higher-risk games such as gaming machines, bingo and casino games. Once the limit is reached, play is paused. Players must be at least 18.

Hjelpelinjen is the national helpline for people with gambling problems and their families. It offers anonymous advice by telephone (800 800 40), chat and email. The regulator reported that the helpline received 756 contacts about gambling problems in 2023. Online casino games were the main concern in 55% of first conversations, and unlicensed operators featured in most of the casino-related contacts. Further advice is available in our responsible gambling guide.

Recent and upcoming developments

Online poker at Norsk Tipping. On 29 September 2026 the Ministry of Culture and Equality proposed amendments to the gambling regulations that would allow Norsk Tipping to offer online poker. The proposal includes player-protection measures such as loss limits, maximum stakes and mandatory breaks. The ministry cited a 2022 University of Bergen survey finding that almost 90,000 Norwegians played online poker with foreign operators each year; Norsk Tipping now estimates 100,000–150,000. The consultation runs until 29 November 2026, and the proposal had not been adopted at the time of review.

Expansion of DNS blocking. The blocking regime moved from 57 sites in April 2025 to a decision covering 134 sites in February 2026. Further notices followed in autumn 2026, reportedly including prediction-market sites, according to Dagens PS. A notice is a warning, not a final blocking decision. The new rules on landing pages and data protection described above apply to blocked sites.

Sanctions against the exclusive-rights operators. The regulator also supervises the two permitted operators. On 14 January 2026 it imposed a NOK 6 million fine on Norsk Rikstoto after a technical error let more than 800 customers play beyond their loss limits between December 2022 and September 2025. In February 2026 it also fined Norsk Tipping over inadequate anti-money-laundering systems.

Loot boxes. On 12 October 2026 the ministry put out for consultation a regulator report proposing that gambling-like elements in video games, such as loot boxes, be brought within the Gambling Act. The consultation deadline is 12 January 2027.

Political debate on licensing. The exclusive-rights model remains contested. In June 2026 a senior Progress Party (FrP) politician called the monopoly “contrary to all common sense” and said a licensing model would be his party’s most important cultural-policy issue in government, as reported by SBC News. This is a party position and has not been adopted by the Storting. The current government’s poker proposal keeps new products within Norsk Tipping’s exclusive rights.

Deposits and withdrawals

Check that the gambling service has Norwegian permission before considering a payment. A foreign website accepting registration does not establish that deposits or winnings can be transferred.

Why a Gambling Payment May Be Blocked

Under the regulator’s payment-blocking guidance, Norwegian banks and financial institutions must stop deposits and winnings payments that they know relate to gambling without Norwegian permission. Payment acceptance is therefore a separate issue from whether an overseas website lets a person register.

A failed payment should be raised with the bank or payment provider. Switching to an e-wallet does not establish that the underlying gambling payment is permitted. Do not assume that a successful deposit guarantees a later withdrawal.

Payment Options to Check

Norsk Tipping’s published payment options include an existing player-account balance, transfers by bank card or Vipps, and direct payment by bank card, Vipps or Apple Pay on iOS. Its card guidance specifies debit cards and says credit cards cannot be used. Check the current payment screen for the options available to your account and product.

Cards

Our general guides to Visa and Mastercard explain the payment brands. The logo alone does not establish gambling acceptance: the issuing bank, card type, operator and transaction restrictions matter. Check withdrawal support separately from deposit support.

Wallets and Prepaid Products

General background is available in our guides to Paysafecard, Skrill, Neteller, EcoCard, ecoPayz and WebMoney. These references are not confirmation that each service currently supports Norwegian gambling transactions.

Before relying on a wallet or voucher, check country eligibility, permitted merchant categories, verification requirements, fees and withdrawal arrangements in the provider’s current terms. Availability for ordinary shopping does not establish availability for gambling. Old claims about universal acceptance, fixed transfer times or complete anonymity should not be relied on.

Security and Withdrawal Checks

No payment method is risk-free or guarantees a profitable session. Read the privacy policy, use unique login credentials and confirm the intended recipient before authorising a payment. Never give a support agent your banking password or one-time authentication code.

Check deposit and withdrawal limits separately, including fees, currency conversion, account verification and the destination for any refund. Ask the provider to explain a blocked or delayed payment rather than relying on processing times quoted in an old review.

NOK accounts, conversion fees and withdrawals

NOK acceptance does not establish permission to offer gambling in Norway. The permitted-provider rules and payment blocking described above still apply. Do not treat an e-wallet or prepaid option as a way around those restrictions.

Check the account currency, the currency charged by the payment service and the currency of the receiving bank account separately. Keeping all three in NOK can avoid a currency conversion, but does not guarantee a fee-free transaction. Review the operator’s cashier charges and your bank, card or wallet provider’s current fees and exchange-rate terms before paying.

Before opening an account, confirm whether its base currency can be changed. Check deposit and withdrawal limits, identity requirements and the available payout route; an accepted deposit method may not support withdrawals. If a payout is converted, check which provider sets the rate and whether a further conversion occurs when the money reaches your bank or wallet. Keep the transaction confirmation so you can compare the amount requested with the amount received.

Sources and further reading

Stortinget, Lov om pengespill (pengespilloven) – case record, Prop. 220 L (2020–2021) (2022).
Store norske leksikon, Pengespilloven (2024).
Lotteri- og stiftelsestilsynet, Se hvem som har lov å tilby pengespill i Norge (accessed 5 October 2026).
Lotteri- og stiftelsestilsynet, Spørsmål og svar om blokkering av ulovlige pengespillsider (accessed 5 October 2026).
Lotteri- og stiftelsestilsynet, No blir 57 ulovlege pengespelsider blokkerte (2025).
Lotteri- og stiftelsestilsynet, Varsel om vedtak med pålegg om DNS-blokkering (2025).
Lotteri- og stiftelsestilsynet, Vedtak med pålegg om DNS-blokkering av nettsteder som tilbyr pengespill (2026).
Lotteri- og stiftelsestilsynet, Varsel om vedtak med pålegg om retting og opphør av ulovlig markedsføring (19 June 2024).
Lotteri- og stiftelsestilsynet, Nøkkeltal – den norske pengespelmarknaden i 2023 (accessed 5 October 2026).
Regjeringen, Foreslår å tillate nettpoker hos Norsk Tipping (2026).
EFTA Court, Case E-3/06 Ladbrokes Ltd v The Government of Norway (2007).
Stortinget, EFTA-domstolen om Norsk Rikstotos enerett til totalisatorspill (2024).
Medietilsynet, Mindre pengespillreklame på tv (2021).
Skatteetaten, Skatteplikt av gevinst fra utenlandsk spillselskap (2020).
Norsk Tipping, Pengespillmarkedet (accessed 5 October 2026).
Norsk Tipping, Slik fungerer totalgrensene (accessed 5 October 2026).
Store norske leksikon, Norsk Rikstoto (accessed 5 October 2026).
Hjelpelinjen, Hjelpelinjen for spilleavhengige (accessed 5 October 2026).
SBC News, “No common sense” in state monopoly says Norway MP (2026).
Regjeringen, Regjeringen tydeliggjør DNS-blokkeringen av ulovlige pengespill (2026).
Regjeringen, Høring – forslag til endringer i pengespillforskriften (2026).
Regjeringen, Høring av Lotteritilsynets utredning om regulering av pengespill-lignende elementer i dataspill (2026).
Lotteri- og stiftelsestilsynet, Norske pengespel 2024 (2026).
Lotteri- og stiftelsestilsynet, Vedtak om ilegging av overtredelsesgebyr – Stiftelsen Norsk Rikstoto (2026).
Skatteetaten, Skattemessig behandling av gevinster fra spill (2023).
EFTA Court, Case E-8/23 Trannel International Limited v Staten v/Kultur- og likestillingsdepartementet (2024).
Dagens PS, Norge vill blockera Polymarket (2026).

Casino listings for players in Norway

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Gambling in Norway: Laws and Online Gambling