Norway authorities take notes as sector responds to state RG strategy

Shareholders from all corners of the industry have had their say on Norway’s upcoming national problem gambling strategy.

Gambling regulator Lotteritilsynet, Norway’s Directorate of Health, and the State Media Authority, Medietilsynet, are co-leading the country’s biggest problem gambling reform in years, scheduled for enforcement in 2026.

The three authorities have each reached out to a large number of relevant industry parties to gather as much of a nuanced response as possible as to which areas in Norway’s national problem gambling strategy need the most attention.

ADHD Norway makes its case…

Speaking to the Directorate of Health, non-profit support organisation ADHD Norway said that it wants to see more efforts being put into helping individuals with various neurological disorders.

The body says that between 70-75% of people with ADHD in Norway suffer from various levels of impulsivity, hence putting them at heightened risk of behavioural disorders such as risk gambling.

Gry Lunde, Secretary General of ADHD Norway, added that ADHD and its relation with problem gambling should be more prominently featured in the national health curriculum and social care education – both across the professional primary health care system and in schools.

Another interesting recommendation from ADHD Norway’s proposal is for the Norwegian Correctional Service to introduce targeted courses for the identification and treatment of gambling disorders among prisoners.

To achieve all of the above, the organisation suggests that more funds be allocated to municipalities for the development of better mental health care. 

It also wants to see more problem gambling services rolled out across drug treatment wards, alongside more support tools for affected others. A final proposal includes stricter restrictions on gambling advertising.

…Gambling Addiction Norway’s voice heard… 

It is perhaps of no surprise that better family aid is also a top recommendation in Gambling Addiction Norway’s (GAN) response – a support network whose work focuses on helping those suffering from gambling harm and their close ones move forward with their lives.

Magnus Pedersen, Political Advisor for GAN, added that the organisation is currently experiencing a steady influx of people reaching out because they’re in need of assistance. 

Some of the recommended measures put forward by GAN include a nationwide educational campaign to help relatives of those affected better understand the specialist support tools currently available.

GAN concluded by welcoming the collaborative approach of the Norwegian Lottery Authority, the Norwegian Directorate of Health, and the Norwegian Media Authority, and that it remains open to further contributions towards the problem gambling action plan.

…and the operator, Norsk Tipping

Writing directly to Norway’s regulator, state-owned operator Norsk Tipping proposed for gambling harm efforts to concentrate more on younger people between the ages of 18 and 25, given the increasing proportion of casino games customers within that demographic.

An interesting take from the operator’s letter was a recommended strategy to investigate which minorities are the most exposed to problem gambling. This would be done through a series of language surveys, which Norsk Tipping says would further inform its safer gambling messaging campaigns.

Another proposed approach to Norway’s problem gambling action plan is to research the effects of government-imposed DNS blocking, or IP address blocking. 

The company also viewed treatment in a social setting as a positive practice, directly referring to Gambling Addiction Norway as an ‘exemplary’ service in the field and – among others – in need of better financial support from the government.

Given that Norsk Tipping operates as a state-owned entity in a monopoly market, its recommendations carry significantly more weight compared to other responses in the consultations.

Regardless, the operator’s future is being constantly pondered on by politicians given Norway’s status as the last monopoly market in the Nordics.