Norway’s gambling policy is under scrutiny as new data reveals a sharp increase in the number of people at risk of addiction, despite years of strict regulation. Advertising bans, payment blocks, and technical restrictions have expanded, yet survey results point to worsening outcomes. The figures challenge the core aim of consumer protection that underpins the country’s gambling monopoly.
New Norsk Tipping Report Reveals Higher Gambling Addiction Despite Oversight: Key Insights
- Online gambling in Norway has been under strict oversight over the past three years through advertising bans, payment blocking, and technical restrictions. Despite these measures, a recent survey by Norsk Tipping shows a significant increase in the number of people at risk of gambling addiction.
- The increase is driven by growth in both moderate- and high-risk individuals, especially young adults. Critics argue this trend suggests the monopoly system is failing to reflect modern gambling behaviour, while the government continues to defend its protective role.
- Despite prohibition, unregulated offshore gambling remains widespread, undermining regulatory oversight. As support groups report this alarming trend, pressure mounts on lawmakers to reassess whether the current framework is effectively protecting vulnerable players.
Problem Gambling on the Rise Despite Tighter Controls
According to the annual sustainability surveys conducted by Kantar on behalf of Norsk Tipping, the number of moderate-risk and problem gamblers increased from 188,000 in 2021 to 269,000 in 2024. This represents an increase of 81,000 people in three years, despite tight controls and strict oversight.
The data distinguishes between moderate-risk players, whose behaviour increases the risk of addiction, and problem gamblers, who already show dependency, with both groups expanding. The survey also reveals an alarming pattern of younger people being more prone to addiction.
Growth is visible among people who are still new to online gambling but already displaying risky patterns. This trend has raised concerns about whether current safeguards are sufficient to protect people who need them the most. Gambling in Norway is restricted to state-run operators, although consumers are quite active on reputable offshore casinos.
Norway operates one of Europe’s strictest gambling regimes through a state monopoly led by Norsk Tipping and Rikstoto. The framework aims to reduce harm by limiting supply, controlling game design, and directing profits to social causes. The Minister of Culture has acknowledged the seriousness of the rising figures while reaffirming support for the monopoly structure.
However, recent investigations into the state-run operators have revealed serious flaws in oversight. In December, the global audit firm KPMG published a report highlighting operational irregularities within Norsk Tipping. Such incidents raise serious questions about the government’s ability to regulate the sector.
Critics argue that the data points to structural weaknesses in the system. Gambling investor Morten Klein claims the current approach protects state revenue more effectively than vulnerable players. He argues that the growth in risky behaviour, particularly among younger users, shows the model is struggling to adapt to current gambling habits.
Regulatory Blind Spots Behind Increasing Gambling Harm
Despite extensive enforcement measures, unregulated gambling activity has yet to disappear from Norway. Norsk Tipping’s own data shows that nearly half of Norway’s online casino players use unregulated foreign operators. This weakens the assumption that most gambling can be channelled into a controlled domestic environment.
Supporters of a licensing model argue that regulation should follow player behaviour rather than attempt to restrict it entirely. Countries such as Sweden and Denmark have adopted systems that allow authorities to monitor activity across licensed platforms. Under Norway’s current framework, oversight remains fragmented and reactive.
The recent data shows a pronounced rise in gambling risks among young adults, many of whom encounter gambling-style mechanics through video games before placing real-money bets. Loot boxes and reward-based systems have blurred the line between gaming and gambling. Public health groups warn that this exposure may normalise gambling behaviours at an early age.
At the same time, Gambling Addiction Norway reports steady growth in people seeking help, alongside a falling average age among those reaching out. The organisation says it is nearing its operational limits but still views the monopoly as the least harmful option if significantly strengthened. This position reflects a belief that fewer operators are easier to supervise, provided that protection standards improve.
Norway now faces a policy decision as more than half of its adult population engages in online or mobile gambling. The debate has shifted from whether gambling exists to how effectively it can be governed in a digital environment. With the number of players prone to gambling addiction continuing to rise, lawmakers must reassess whether the current system meets its core purpose of harm prevention.