If anyone was hoping for a shake-up in Norway’s strict gambling regulations, the recent elections have made one thing clear: the iGaming monopoly is here to stay.
With the same political party retaining power, the country’s state-controlled gambling model will continue unchanged for the foreseeable future.
The 2025 elections were closely watched by both players and international gambling operators. Gambling experts at Betsjekk.com believed that a change in government could open the door to a licensing system, similar to what most other European countries have adopted.
However, that didn’t happen. The ruling party — a firm supporter of the state monopoly — won again, signaling that the current approach to regulating gambling will continue. For Norway, this means the only legal providers remain Norsk Tipping (for betting and casino) and Norsk Rikstoto (for horse racing).
Norway is now one of the very few countries in Europe that still operates under a full gambling monopoly, rather than issuing licenses to private operators. The government argues this system is designed to protect vulnerable players, limit problems with gambling, and ensure that profits go back to social causes rather than private companies.
While the goals are clear, the monopoly has also faced criticism. Many players find Norsk Tipping’s offers limited, especially compared to the wide variety, bonuses, and payment methods provided by international betting sites.
In the meantime, offshore operators continue to target Norway. Despite strict rules, the Norwegian market remains active. Offshore operators with licenses from places like Malta or Curaçao continue to target Norwegian players with Norwegian-language sites, promotions, and payment options like cryptocurrency.
The government has tried to make access more difficult through DNS blocking and financial restrictions, but many Norwegians still choose these offshore sites for their broader game selections and better odds.
With the political landscape unchanged, there are no major reforms expected in the coming years. The government is likely to continue focusing on enforcement rather than liberalization — tightening controls on offshore operators rather than introducing a licensing framework.
For players, this means the current dual reality will continue: a strict state monopoly on one side and a vibrant, but unofficial, offshore market on the other.
