Norwegian Counties Unite to Defend Norsk Tipping’s Monopoly

Is Norway on the brink of a gambling revolution? As political factions advocate for market liberalization, several counties have launched a coordinated campaign to defend the state-owned Norsk Tipping’s gambling monopoly. This grassroots movement underscores the high stakes involved, from funding vital community projects to safeguarding public health. The outcome of this debate could reshape Norway’s gambling landscape and impact countless citizens.

Norwegian Counties Rally to Preserve Norsk Tipping’s Gambling Monopoly Amid Political Liberalization Efforts​

Key Points:

• County Campaigns to Preserve Monopoly: Agder, Østfold, Rogaland, and Finnmark counties initiate campaigns supporting Norsk Tipping’s exclusive gambling rights.​
• Political Push for Liberalization: Members of the Conservative Party (Høyre) propose transitioning to a competitive, regulated gambling market.​
• Funding and Social Impact Concerns: Counties emphasize potential losses in funding for sports, culture, and humanitarian projects if the monopoly ends.​

In Norway, a heated debate is unfolding over the future of the nation’s gambling industry. At the center of this controversy is Norsk Tipping, the state-owned entity holding a monopoly on gambling operations. Recently, at least four counties—Agder, Østfold, Rogaland, and Finnmark—have launched coordinated campaigns to defend this monopoly against proposals advocating for market liberalization.​

County Campaigns: A Unified Stand

The campaigns, unified under the slogan “We can’t gamble away,” highlight the substantial funding these regions receive from Norsk Tipping. For instance, Agder reported receiving 170 million kroner (£12.5 million) in 2024, which was allocated to building sports facilities, supporting local activity funds, and grassroots initiatives in various sports teams. Additionally, funds were directed to choirs, bands, theaters, and organizations like the Red Cross and the Cancer Society.

Siri Marie Gundersen, chairwoman of Agder’s Sports Association, emphasized the potential risks of altering the current model, stating, “This is what we risk losing if the Norwegian gambling model fails.” She further noted that organizations working against gambling addiction and those receiving grants from Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto’s profits do not support a change. ​

Similarly, Østfold highlighted receiving 162 million kroner for sports in 2024. Kjetil Bakke, chairman of the Sports Association of Viken, questioned the potential impact of privatization, asking, “How much profit would private owners in Malta and Luxembourg take before they pay a single krone in taxes or fees to society?” He stressed the necessity of maintaining the current model to ensure that sports and other community services continue to thrive. ​

Political Push for Liberalization

The Conservative Party (Høyre) is experiencing internal debates regarding the future of Norway’s gambling industry. While the party’s 2024 manifesto emphasized preserving Norsk Tipping’s responsible gambling model, a faction led by MPs such as Tage Pettersen, Magnus Mæland, Ola Svenneby, and Anita Oterhals Eide is advocating for a shift toward a licensing system. They argue that this transition could enhance player protection and increase state revenues.

Pettersen highlighted that approximately 50% of Norway’s online gambling market operates through offshore operators, suggesting that a regulated licensing model could address this issue more effectively. He pointed to neighboring countries like Sweden and Denmark, which have transitioned from monopoly models to regulated markets without regretting the change.

Funding and Social Impact Concerns

The counties’ campaigns emphasize the potential loss of funding for sports, cultural, and humanitarian organizations if the monopoly is dismantled. For example, Rogaland reported receiving over 320 million kroner in 2024, supporting more than 70 voluntary associations across Norway. Siri Ommedal, chairwoman of the Rogaland Sports Association, criticized the lobbying efforts of the Norwegian Online Gambling Industry Association (NBO) and its Secretary General, Carl Fredrik Stenstrøm, accusing them of prioritizing private profits over community welfare. ​

Ommedal expressed concerns that a licensing model could increase the number of players with gambling problems and reduce transfers to cultural, sports, and humanitarian organizations. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a stable and predictable income through the profits from a well-regulated and responsible operator like Norsk Tipping.

Norway stands at a crossroads in determining the future of its gambling industry. The coordinated campaigns by counties like Agder, Østfold, Rogaland, and Finnmark underscore the significance of Norsk Tipping’s contributions to community projects and social initiatives. As political debates continue, the challenge lies in balancing potential economic benefits of market liberalization with the need to protect public welfare and maintain funding for vital community services. The outcome of this debate will undoubtedly have lasting implications for Norway’s social and economic landscape.