Norway to allow Norsk Tipping to offer online poker

Norway’s Ministry of Culture and Equality proposed a draft law that would allow Norsk Tipping to offer online poker, which is currently illegal in the country. Under the new law, Norsk Tipping gains exclusive rights to offer online poker, limited to tournament poker and cash games. The ministry says the main reason for the new law is to move players to a regulated product with responsible gambling controls. Currently, poker is allowed in Norway in a limited form, mostly at annual national tournaments. To access online poker in the country, players use unlicensed sites. Minister of Culture and Equality Lubna Jaffery said: We know that many Norwegians play online poker. Therefore, it is better that we get a responsible and safer offer here in Norway, rather than unregulated games at foreign commercial gaming companies that are driven by profit. The ministry is seeking opinions on whether online poker marketing should be banned or permitted only to a very limited extent. The gambling regulator Lotteritilsynet will evaluate the product within one year of its release. The consultation suggests establishing a duty to report serious incidents to Lotteritilsynet. This would include Norsk Tipping, Norsk Rikstoto, bingo hall operators, and companies handling draws for large lotteries like Pantelotteriet and Postkodelotteriet. Currently, gambling providers are not required to report such incidents voluntarily. The consultation ends on 29 November 2026, and the ministry suggests that the revised regulation become effective immediately.