Norway to Cap Electronic Bingo Loss Limits by 2025

The Norwegian Government has taken a decisive step towards enhancing player protection within the bingo industry. Norway new legislation focusing on loss limits and registration requirements for electronic bingo will be phased in over 2025, setting a regulated framework for both online bingo suppliers and land-based bingo halls across the country.

Norway Moves to Introduce Electronic Bingo Loss Limits in 2025

These two legislative changes will include a registration framework for games by supplier and enforce loss limits for electronic bingo machines. With the new laws, the Norwegian Government aims to address concerns regarding the accessibility of high-stakes electronic bingo without any current loss caps, particularly for vulnerable players.

Key Points:

• New Game Registration Requirements: From January 1, 2025, bingo operators must meet additional registration conditions based on their game suppliers.
• Electronic Bingo Loss Limits: Effective from September 1, 2025, these limits will apply to all physical bingo venues with electronic bingo offerings.
• Enhanced Player Protection: The legislation is part of Norway’s broader mission to safeguard players and reduce gambling-related harm.

Enhancing Player Safeguards in Norway

Electronic bingo, a popular form of gaming that includes quick virtual draws displayed on digital screens, currently operates in Norway without any player loss limits. Recognizing the potential risk for vulnerable players, the government’s move to introduce caps on player losses follows recent discussions and consultations with industry associations and stakeholders.

The consultation document for this upcoming legislation proposes guidelines on loss limits for these electronic bingo machines. The goal is to curtail financial harm among players and provide an industry-standard approach for tracking player losses. Once enforced, these regulations will bring Norway’s bingo industry in line with the country’s responsible gambling commitments.

Industry Response and Future Prospects

Norway’s Culture and Equality Minister, Lubna Jaffery, shared her views on the updates:
“Electronic bingo games in bingo halls and online in connection with the bingo venue have for a long time been allowed to operate without loss limits, this has come at the expense of vulnerable players and their relatives. That is why we are now putting in place more responsible frameworks around these gambling games.”

Minister Jaffery acknowledged the industry’s need for preparation, stating that the extended implementation timeline allows operators to adjust to the regulatory requirements.

Broader Implications for Norway’s Gambling Landscape

This move aligns with Norway’s ongoing efforts to strengthen gambling regulations. In recent months, Norway has introduced several measures focusing on responsible gambling, including a Memorandum of Understanding between the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) and the Norwegian Bookmakers’ Association (NBO) to foster safer gaming practices.

With this upcoming legislation, Norway is set to implement a new standard of player protection in the bingo sector. By 2025, electronic bingo in Norway will operate under stricter guidelines, with loss limits and registration requirements designed to protect players and promote responsible gaming across the nation.