Norway threatens Betsson poker with debilitating fines
Law and Politics
The Norwegian Gambling Authority has ordered Betsson, the Swedish-based gambling mainstay, to cease operations in Norway. But CardsChat News tests show the company’s online poker offerings are still available in the country.
The Norwegian gaming regulator (Lottstift) on Thursday ordered Betsson’s parent company BLM Group Ltd to exit the market. the letter sent to BLM group notes that offering online poker and games is against the law in Norway and orders the company to shut down its websites in the country, including Betsson and Betsafe.
Online gambling is legal in Norway, but only at the public casino site Norsk Tipping, which does not offer online poker.
The legality of offshore sites has long been a point of contention in Norway, with claims that state-run online gambling monopolies violate European free trade laws. While such a defense has allowed many sites to remain active in Norway, the latest crackdown has targeted Betsson and four of its subsidiaries – Betsafe, Nordicbet, Norgesautomaten and CasinoEuro – in response to online and television marketing campaigns. which, according to Lottstift, were clearly targeting the Norwegian players.
“Although the BLM Group gaming license is provided by the Maltese authorities, the offer of illegal games is taking effect in Norway by the company offering internet games,” the letter from Lottstift states.
He goes on to say that although BLM group sites are legal in other countries, its presence in Norway violates national gambling laws. “The Lotteries Act and the Gambling Act also apply to gambling from abroad when the offer is destined for Norway,” the letter continued.
Lottstift gave Betsson three weeks to shut down shop in Norway before facing “coercive fines that run until the illegal gambling offer has been rectified or terminated.”
Betsson still available in Norway
According to Lottstift, “a coercive fine is not a punishment, and the obligation to pay a coercive fine does not depend on guilt, but is triggered when an illegal relationship occurs, and should be set so high that it does not pay responsible person for not complying with the decision. The goal is to enforce compliance.
Neither the BLM Group nor its affiliates have made a public comment on this, so CardsChat took a look. We found that Betsson and Betsafe are still accessible via a Norwegian IP address, and that we can set our location in Norway and download the software.
Although we were able to access Betsson, our results may not necessarily reflect the status of the company in Norway, as the BLM Group may be exiting the market and giving players a chance to put money in. order in their affairs.
Why is Lottstift shooting Betsson?
The implication of Lottstift’s letter is that Betsson and its sister sites have been targeted due to blatant disregard of the rules. The letter sent to the BLM Group says Betsson used “Norwegian symbols” and found a way to get around the blockage of payment processing in the country.
These acts have raised the proverbial head of the BLM group above the parapet. Lottstift is obligated to take action against any operator who it believes is acting illegally within its jurisdiction.
Betsson has until Aug. 15 to file objections with the NGA.