Betsson has been instructed to halt its operations in Norway. The Norwegian Gaming Authority has directed Betsson’s BML Group subsidiary to discontinue providing gambling services to Norwegian customers.
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Betsson Ordered to Cease Operations in Norway
The Norwegian Gaming Authority (Lottstift) has informed the operator, which owns websites such as Betsson and Betsafe, that it must stop offering gambling services in Norway unless it acquires a Norwegian license. Other brands within the group, including Nordicbet, Norgesautomaten, and CasinoEuro, must also discontinue operations with Norwegian citizens.
In a preliminary notification letter issued under the Public Administration Act, the regulatory body stated that the BML Group was providing Norwegians with the opportunity to participate in lotteries and gambling through websites utilizing Norwegian names and symbols. These websites were also being promoted on Norwegian television.
Lottstift evaluated that these websites were “clearly targeting Norwegians” and therefore violated the Lottery Act and the Gambling Act.
The agency further stated that it had issued a similar response to Kindred Group subsidiary Trannel International, with its subsequent order being upheld by the appeals body. It mentioned that it had notified Malta-licensed BML Group Limited, as well as the three directors at the company’s address in the Malta Business Registry.
While the BML Group’s gaming permit was granted by the Maltese authorities, the enterprise provides games online, attracting participants in the Norwegian market, and enabling Norwegians to enroll as players, consequently, illicit gambling operations are taking place within Norway.
Norway’s lottery and gambling regulations also extend to gambling activities conducted from outside the country, as long as these activities target the Norwegian market.
The Norwegian Lottery Authority, in implementing the payment service prohibition, has discovered that BML Group Limited is actively attempting to bypass Norway’s ban on payments to foreign gambling firms.
According to the gambling legislation, Norway’s Norsk Tipping holds exclusive rights to offer online casino games, bingo, scratch cards, and odds games.
The Norwegian Lottery Authority has the power to impose mandatory penalties for breaches of the lottery and gambling laws.
The agency further stated: “If the unlawful relationship does not end after a decision has been made, the Norwegian Lottery Authority will consider issuing mandatory fines until the illicit gambling activity is corrected or stopped.
“Mandatory fines are not a form of punishment; the obligation to pay mandatory fines does not rely on fault but is triggered when the unlawful relationship occurs, and should be set high enough so that it is not financially advantageous to disregard the decision.”
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