Norwegian Online Casino Licence
The gambling regulator in Norway is The Norwegian Gaming Authority (Lotteri-og stiftelsestilsynet), subordinate to the King and the Ministry of Culture. The regulator oversees the activities of two state-owned companies: Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto.
The Commission is guided by The Gaming Act (LOV-1992-08-28-103), amended the 1st of January 2019, The Lottery Act (LOV-1995-02-24-11), amended the 1st of July 2020 and The Totalizator Act (LOV-1927-07-01-3), amended the 5th of October 2018.
Licences
Almost all gambling activities in Norway, including online casinos and horse racing betting, are under a national monopoly. The only exceptions are private companies that are permitted to provide traditional lottery and bingo services.
Norwegian Law regulates:
- Gambling schemes related to sports and other events that are not regulated by other regulations: predictions, bets on sports events or virtual sports.
- Number lotteries.
- Slot machines.
- Other game schemes to which the King decides to apply the Law.
Norsk Tipping is authorised to provide online casino services in Norway, they operate the only legal online gambling platform, KongKasino. Norsk Rikstoto organises betting on horse racing and sweepstakes.
Private commercial organisations can become dealers of gambling products exclusively at land-based outlets.
Legislation regulates the creation of commercial organisations that have the right to apply for a licence. For social and humanitarian purposes, non-profit organisations are licensed for three years to run poker tournaments.
Authority and Jurisdiction
The Norwegian Gambling Authority regulates the activities of licensed operators of gambling entertainment in the country. Foreign companies and cross-license holders are prohibited. As part of the fight against illegal gambling activity, since 2010 payments have been blocked between foreign gambling operators and Norwegian players.
Norway participates in an expert group of the European Commission to develop an effective action plan for the management of online gambling.
Arbitration and Player Protection
The licenced online casinos are allowed to offer sport bets and the ability to participate in the lottery draw from 06:00 to 03:00. Other forms of online gambling are only available from 07:00 to 03:00. Additionally there are restrictions on the amount that a registered user can spend during the day, week or month.
Winnings in excess of 10,000 NOK are automatically credited to the players gaming account within 1-3 days and the players balance is always displayed in Norwegian kroner.
The KongKasino support service is available daily from 8:00 to 22:00 by phone (+47 625 07 770) and online from 8:00 to 20:00 via the website and social media pages.
If anyone suspects any of the following activities are occuring:
- illegal or objectionable incidents
- non-payment of premiums
- problems with Norsk Tipping products and services
- fraud
- financial crimes
- corruption
- discrimination
- harassment and violation of ethical principles
They should report their suspicions directly to the licence holder or to the Gambling Authority. The appeal can be anonymous and complaints are accepted in electronic or written format.
The Gambling Authority is an independent body that reviews player complaints. The regulator informs Norsk Tipping, the authorised user or makes a publication on their official website about the results of the complaint.
Return to Players Percentage
The traditional casino entertainment licence holder's software must be customised so that players get back about 95% of their wagers.
Winnings and return percentages are listed in the Game Rules for eBingo, eScraper games and online Instant Games publication.
VARIETIES OF GAMES | REFUND (in %) | MAXIMUM WINNINGS OTHER THAN THE JACKPOT (in NOK) |
Single Draws | 45-65 | 100,000 |
Instant Lotteries | 50 | |
Slot Machines | 30 | 1,500 |
For forms of entertainment that require a participation fee, the amount of one bet cannot exceed 10% of the total prize pool.
Online Casino Licensing in Norway
The Law on the Gambling establishes the procedure for registering enterprises that have the right to apply for a licence. The gambling company is registered as a joint stock company with a registered capital of NOK 150,000 divided into three equal shares of ownership.
The main shareholder of the organisation is the state. Decisions on the organisation of the company, the approval of the charter, the size of the authorised capital and the distribution of profits are made by the King. Private or foreign companies cannot become shareholders of a gambling organisation.
The licence holder is governed by a Council of five members with a Chairman and Deputy that have been appointed by the King for a period of 2 years. The Chairman of the Council takes part in the meeting of shareholders, but does not have the right to vote.
The Ministry of Culture sets limits on prize funds, drawing rules and the procedure for paying out prizes.
The profit from gambling entertainment is divided in equal parts (1/3 each) and is used by the State to support sports, culture and science. Any amendments to the Act are initiated by the Norwegian Ministry of Culture.
KongKasino entertainment is available in trial and real play modes. In the trial (test) version, bets are made using points. You can only place cash bets after you have put funds into your game account.
If the user has not finished playing before the interruption, he gets the opportunity to restart and complete the started drawing within 1-2 days (depending on the entertainment rules).
If the user does not return to an unfinished game, the draw will be completed automatically. The amount of the bet is returned to the visitor in the case when it is impossible to automatically end the drawing.
KongKasino offers players instant and traditional lotteries, casino games, slot machines, random betting and sports betting.