They and many other poker players in the country started their careers in online poker rooms locally and offshore. When the Norwegian government realized what a boon poker is to its economy and legalized it in 2014. As a result many local poker casinos were established where international and local players can compete against each other.
What Does The Future Hold?
Like the majority of countries that tried to curb online gambling Norway realized that it’s fighting and losing battles. No matter how stringent its policies are players are still plying their trade at UK and Maltese licensed online casinos. In a bid to outlaw internet gambling the government even used the UIGEA (unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) of 2006 to stop local banks from processing transactions of foreign based casinos. Instead of targeting the individuals the government is going after the financial institutions. In 2013 around 30 operators admitted that they’re still accepting players from Norway.
“I hope we can have a regulatory framework in place in time for a Norway Championship of Poker to be held in Norway in 2015.” Norwegian Culture Secretary, Thorhild Widvey
Although the Norwegian government is not keen on offshore casinos since they’re in direct competition with them, they haven’t blocked the ISP’s of unregulated sites. The government intends on rolling out legislation that will prevent gaming sites offshore from running advertising campaigns in the country.
The government intends on bolstering its Payment Act by requiring banks to provide them with transaction reports, any unlicensed casino that runs an illegal media campaign will be fined heavily. In 2014 the Norwegian Gambling Authority notified European casinos that it intends on coming down hard on operators who flout its laws. Swedish gaming companies where guilty of running cross-border advertising campaigns.
Mum is still pretty much the word when it comes clamping down on online casinos based across Europe. Until the Norwegian government starts prosecuting players and unlicensed operators, residents will continue to play at our favourite UK licensed casinos.
