Norsk Tipping, the Norwegian state-owned lottery and gaming operator, has toughened its safer gambling measures ahead of an anticipated Christmas boom.
Starting as of December 1, and running at least until the end of January, 2021, the maximum monthly loss limit on its so-called high-risk games has been further capped by 25 per cent.
Founded in 1947, Norsk Tipping is one of the oldest national lotteries in the world. Norway and other Scandinavian nations are at the fore of exploring safer ways to gamble. The world of gaming will be watching closely to see how the new measures pan out.
Norwegian punters will now only be allowed to lose a maximum of NOK7,500 (£634/US$845/€707) each month when playing KongKasino, eFlax, Bingoria and Yezz. The daily loss limit for these same games has also been maxed, by a further 50 per cent, to NOK2,000 (£169/US$227/€188).
And in a further bid to combat excessive play, Norsk Tipping has instituted a mandatory 15-minutes break for every hour of continuous betting.
Marketing emails and texts to players aged between 18- and 25-years have also been halted.
“December is our biggest gambling month,” said Norsk Tipping Chief Executive Åsne Havnelid. “[And] we know that gambling problems are increasing in the population.”
The impact of coronavirus Covid-19 has meant more people are spending more time alone, argued Havnelid, and “for vulnerable players this can lead to more gambling. We want to prevent that.”
Meantime, the Norwegian government will spend an additional NOK15m (£1.27m/US$1.7m/€1.4m) to help combat problem gambling in the country as part of its current gambling Action Plan.
“For most people gambling is a pleasant recreation and many Norwegians enjoy playing. But for some people gambling has become a serious problem,” said Abid Raja, Norway’s Minister of Culture and Gender Equality.
“I am proud that we in Norway have a gambling policy that puts responsibility first.”
