The Norwegian Gambling and Foundation Authority (Lottstift) has notified the state-run horse race betting operator Norsk Rikstoto of a potential penalty over a gambling limit violation. The operator clarified that a long-running technical error had allowed over 800 players to exceed the loss limit. The gambling watchdog, however, issued a penalty, citing the gravity of the situation and the extent of harm caused.
Gambling Regulator Fines Norsk Rikstoto NOK 6 million for Loss Limit Violation: Quick Overview
- Norway’s gambling legislation allows punters to set up loss limits. The laws also prevent players from losing NOK 60,000 (roughly €5,083) within a span of three months, unless winnings offset the amount.
- Lottstift has found that between December 2022 and September 2025, over 806 players managed to wager beyond the legal loss limit. The operator attributed this violation to a system error in two products, Andelstorget and På Lagløsinga.
- An internal investigation revealed that many of the affected accounts belonged to medium- and high-risk individuals. Lottstift labelled the breach “very serious” and notified the company of a potential NOK 6 million (roughly €508,360) penalty.
Players Exceeded Loss Limit Due to Technical Error, Claim Norsk Rikstoto
Norwegian state-owned horse race betting operator Norsk Rikstoto is facing a potential NOK 6 million (roughly €508,360) penalty for violating laws related to players’ loss limits. The operator is legally required to safeguard players from gambling-related financial harm. However, in September, an internal investigation discovered a massive violation.
Between December 2022 and September 2025, a total of 806 players exceeded the NOK 60,000 loss limit. The company claimed that a severe technical malfunction between December 2022 and September 2023 had caused the problem. Norsk Rikstoto discovered that the fault had impacted two of its most popular products: Andelstorget and På Lagløsinga.
Consumers spent roughly NOK 4 million (€339,225) beyond the approved loss limit across 2,047 instances. While seven players exceeded the loss limit by NOK 100,000 (roughly €8,480), the single highest expense was NOK 643,000 (roughly €54,530), which set off alarm bells within the administration.
The Norwegian Gambling and Foundation Authority (Lottstift) oversees all types of gambling and sports betting activities in Norway. As state-run remote gambling operators provide limited options; local players are quite active at online casinos in Norway licensed in reputable offshore regions, such as Malta and Curaçao.
Gambling Regulator Praises Operator’s Prompt Corrective Measures
The gambling watchdog called Norsk Rikstoto’s loss limit control failure over such an extended duration a “very serious” issue. The regulator emphasised the importance of gambling limits, describing them as a safety net crucial for preventing financial harm, especially for the vulnerable population, who are more prone to gambling addiction.
Lottstift notified the sports betting operator of an impending NOK 6 million penalty for the breach. However, the regulator appreciated Norsk Rikstoto’s promptness in identifying and rectifying the problem and keeping them in the communication loop.
Tore Bell, Department Director at the Gambling and Foundations Authority, said:
Loss limits are the most important tool for preventing players from having serious problems. Norsk Rikstoto shall have loss limits to prevent gambling problems and ensure that gambling is conducted in a safe and responsible manner. The fact that the loss limits have not worked for such a long period is very serious. It is reassuring that the error was quickly corrected when it was discovered and that Norsk Rikstoto has been open, cooperative and kept us well informed about the matter.
Norway is the last remaining Nordic country to have a state monopoly on gambling operations. However, the situation will likely change in the coming days as political support for a regulated open market increases from all corners. Norway’s gambling regulatory framework could be inspired by Finland, which embraced an open market earlier this year.