Over the last couple of years, Norway has gone to great lengths to try to decrease gambling-related harms. However, in the last three years, the country has seen a significant increase in the number of people at risk of gambling addiction as more people gamble on online casinos.
New figures show that the number of moderate-risk and problem gamblers has grown by 81,000 since 2021, raising concerns among policymakers, advocacy groups, and industry critics alike.
81,000+ in the Risk Zone
Annual surveys conducted by Norsk Tipping in cooperation with research firm Kantar suggest that the number of people classified as moderate-risk or problem gamblers has spiked from 188,000 in 2021 to 269,000 in 2024.
An at-risk gambler is defined as someone whose gambling behaviour increases the likelihood of developing addiction, while a problem gambler is considered someone who already experiences a form of gambling dependency.
Minister of Culture and Equality Lubna Jaffery (Labour Party) described the trend as serious, as any increase in numbers is alarming. That’s why she calls for the implementation of new measures.
Putting the Blame on the Monopoly Model
Gambling investor Morten Klein has placed responsibility solely on the government and the current monopoly system.
Klein, owner of the Klein Group, with investments in slot machines, online gambling, technology, and real estate, has publicly criticised the state’s protection of Norsk Tipping.
“The biggest problem in Norway today is that politicians, and especially the culture minister, are protecting Norsk Tipping and its revenues while sacrificing problem gamblers,” Klein said.
He argues that the monopoly model has led to an “explosive growth” in at-risk gambling, especially among young demographics.
Calls for a Licensing System
Klein urged the government to replace the monopoly with a licensing model that would allow multiple gambling operators to operate legally under strict state supervision and responsible gambling requirements.
Several European countries, including Denmark and Sweden, have already adopted such systems. Klein gave Sweden’s national self-exclusion system, “Spelpaus,” as an example. The programme allows users to exclude themselves from all licensed gambling providers at once.
“If the government truly wants to reduce problem gambling, it must admit that the monopoly model isn’t working,” Klein said.
Klein’s stance is mainly backed by the Progress Party, which has long lobbied for dismantling the monopoly. The Liberal Party has also previously called for a review of Norway’s gambling policy to explore alternatives.
Minister Rejects Market Liberalisation
Despite acknowledging the scale of the problem, Culture Minister Jaffery has firmly rejected calls to open the market to more operators.
She believes that the notion that more competition would reduce gambling issues would be something a gambling stakeholder would think. Jaffery emphasised that the purpose of the monopoly is to channel gambling into a controlled and responsible framework.
“We will continue to protect and strengthen the monopoly model and Norsk Tipping because safeguarding vulnerable players comes first,” she added.
Increased Enforcement and Website Blocking
In recent years, the government has implemented several enforcement measures, including asking banks to block gambling-related transactions, banning gambling advertisements, and blocking more than 100 gambling websites. An additional 178 sites have received warnings of potential blocking.
Thе method used, known as DNS blocking, has sparked criticism from some who argue it constitutes censorship of legal activities.
Nevertheless, Jaffery defended the approach. She said that the aim is to have as few gambling addicts as possible in Norway. In her words, that means the county cannot allow unrestricted access to all forms of gambling.
Gaming and Gambling Converge
Experts and critics agree that younger men make up a growing share of new at-risk gamblers. Klein argues that gambling mechanics have increasingly merged with video games, blurring the line between gaming and gambling.
He has praised Denmark’s approach, where authorities actively educate schoolchildren about gambling risks.
Concerns Over Loot Boxes in Video Games
Last week, the culture minister received a petition from 12 organisations calling for a ban on loot boxes, which are randomised in-game purchases often compared to gambling.
Inger Lise Hansen, Secretary General of Actis, warned that the gaming industry is normalising gambling behaviour among children and adolescents.
“We must stop allowing gaming companies to prime young people with gambling elements,” Hansen said.
The government has announced that it will commission a formal review, due in October, aimed at banning loot boxes.
Support Services Under Pressure
Gambling Addiction Norway has reported a steady increase in people seeking help and says it is nearing capacity.
“It’s increasingly younger individuals who reach out to us,” said Magnus Pedersen of the organisation.
After evaluating different regulatory models, Spillavhengighet Norway has concluded that retaining the monopoly remains the best option, provided it is strengthened and closely monitored.
Debate is Far From Over
While there is broad agreement that gambling-related harm is rising in Norway, sharp divisions remain over how best to address it. With more than 2.5 million adults, over half the population, gambling online or on mobile platforms, the stakes of the policy debate continue to grow.
As pressure mounts from both critics of the monopoly and advocates for stronger consumer protections, Norway’s gambling framework is likely to remain a contentious political issue in the years ahead.
