Why Are Gambling Companies Leaving Norway?

If you’ve been keeping an eye on the online gambling world, you might’ve noticed something interesting happening in Norway: international gambling operators are packing their bags and leaving the market. And even the fact that Norway is a wealthy country with a tech-savvy population doesn’t change their mind.

The article has been prepared in collaboration with oddsbonuser.nu.

While there’s definitely a demand for gambling services in Norway, the country has made it incredibly hard for private operators to do business. The biggest reason is that Norway’s gambling market is tightly controlled by the government.

Unlike many other European countries that have opened up their markets and created licensing systems for private companies, Norway has stuck to its monopoly model. That means only two state-owned companies are legally allowed to offer gambling services. Everyone else? Not welcome.

The Norwegian Gaming Authority, known as Lotteritilsynet, has put in place a number of measures to block offshore companies. Banks are required to stop processing payments to and from these sites, DNS blocks are used to restrict access, and companies that ignore the rules risk big fines. 

And it’s not just about access. Advertising is also a big issue. In Norway, it’s illegal to promote unlicensed gambling services, which includes everything from online ads and influencer partnerships to TV sponsorships. If you’re a gambling company trying to reach Norwegian players, your chances are quite low.

What’s interesting is that other Nordic countries, like Sweden and Denmark, have gone in the opposite direction. They’ve introduced licensing systems that allow private operators to join the market, under strict rules and regulations. It’s a more balanced approach that lets companies operate legally while still protecting players. Norway, on the other hand, has shown no signs of changing its stance.

So, from a business perspective, Norway just isn’t worth the headache. The risk of fines, blocked payments, and limited marketing options outweighs the potential profits. Many operators are choosing to leave and focus on countries that offer a clearer path to doing business.

In short, it’s not that Norwegians don’t want more gambling options — it’s that the government has made it nearly impossible for anyone but the state to offer them. Unless there’s a major policy shift in the future, don’t expect to see many international gambling brands sticking around.