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Reference last reviewed 27 October 2026

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Europe

Lotteritilsynet

The Norwegian authority defending a two-operator monopoly with payment and website blocking.

Short name LotteritilsynetJurisdiction NorwaySupervising since 2001Last reviewed 27 October 2026

What this authority does

Norway is the clearest surviving example of a European monopoly model. Gambling is reserved to two state-controlled operators, one for lotteries and sports betting and one for horse racing, and there is no route for a commercial operator to obtain a Norwegian licence.

Because prohibition alone has not kept offshore operators out, Norway has built its enforcement around access and money. Payment blocking requires banks to refuse transactions to identified gambling operators, and DNS blocking of named sites was introduced after the gambling legislation was consolidated in 2022. The authority also pursues operators over marketing directed at Norwegians, including broadcasts transmitted from other countries.

Norway's position is frequently cited in debates elsewhere, because it is one of the few places where a monopoly has been actively defended with technical measures rather than left nominally in force.

Licences it issues

  • None for commercial online gambling: two state operators hold exclusive rights

What supervision concentrates on

  • Supervision of the state operators
  • Payment blocking
  • DNS blocking of unlicensed sites
  • Enforcement against marketing

Markets on file under this authority

MarketOnline casinoSports bettingLicensing model
NorwayState monopolyState monopolyMonopoly, actively enforced

Questions about the Lotteritilsynet

What does the Lotteritilsynet license?

The Norwegian authority defending a two-operator monopoly with payment and website blocking. It issues: None for commercial online gambling: two state operators hold exclusive rights.

What is the legal basis for the Lotteritilsynet?

Gambling Act 2022. The authority has supervised online gambling since 2001 and is based in Førde.

Which markets does the Lotteritilsynet cover?

On this site the Lotteritilsynet is recorded as the authority for Norway.

What does Lotteritilsynet supervision concentrate on?

Supervision of the state operators; Payment blocking; DNS blocking of unlicensed sites; Enforcement against marketing.

Other authorities in Europe

UKGC · Great Britain

Gambling Commission

The licensing body for all gambling offered to customers in Great Britain, whether the operator is based there or not.