Norway tackles gambling addiction with new bingo rules
•
11 Nov 2024 •
Reading time: 2 minutes The Norwegian government has announced that it will tighten rules for electronic bingo in bingo halls. This includes setting limits on players’ loss amounts. The changes are intended to better protect vulnerable players and will be implemented gradually, according to Lubna Jaffery, the Norwegian Minister of Culture and Equality.
“Until now, electronic bingo games in bingo halls and online platforms have been allowed without loss limits. This has been at the expense of vulnerable players and their families. That is why we are now introducing stricter rules to make these games more responsible.”
Major changes to take effect from January 2025
The first major change will take effect from 1 January 2025. From then on, all providers that provide content to bingo halls will have to register. Then, from 1 September 2025, all bingo halls will have to offer their customers the option to set loss limits for electronic bingo. Bingo hall staff will be required to make players aware of this option and support them in setting limits. From the same date, mandatory registration of all players will also be introduced at each bingo hall.
Government had hoped for faster implementation of new rules
The introduction of the new rules follows an extensive consultation process, which received more than 500 responses, Jaffery said. The government had hoped to implement the measures by the end of the year, but decided to give the industry more time to prepare.
“Our policy is based on caring for people at risk of gambling addiction. The exclusive rights model is based on responsibility, and so I think it is right to consider vulnerable players first. The consequences for people with gambling problems and their loved ones could be huge.”