Norsk Tipping Could Get Exclusive Norway Online Poker Rights

Norway could give Norsk Tipping exclusive rights to online poker under a government proposal aimed at bringing players away from unregulated foreign operators. The consultation remains open until November 29, 2026.

Good to Know

• Norsk Tipping estimates 100,000 to 150,000 Norwegians now play online poker each year.
• Players would face a NOK10,000 monthly poker loss limit and NOK5,000 daily cap.
• Tournament and cash poker would both be allowed, but Norsk Tipping would hold the exclusive right to offer them.

Norway Targets Offshore Online Poker Play

Online poker has become a gap in the Norwegian monopoly model. No monopoly operator currently offers the game, even though a University of Bergen study found nearly 90,000 Norwegians played with foreign operators in 2022. Norsk Tipping believes the current total could be between 100,000 and 150,000.

The Ministry of Culture and Equality now wants to bring part of that activity into the regulated system rather than leave players with offshore poker sites.

Minister of Culture and Equality Lubna Jaffery said:

“We know that many Norwegians play online poker. Therefore, it is better that we get a responsible and safer offer here in Norway, rather than unregulated games at foreign, commercial gaming companies that are driven by profit.”

Under the proposal, players could lose no more than NOK5,000 per day or NOK10,000 per month from poker. Anyone under 20 would face a NOK2,000 monthly limit.

Tournament buy ins would stop at NOK2,500, €250 or $250, including fees. Cash game buy ins would carry a NOK1,000, €100 or $100 ceiling. Players could use no more than four tables at once.

Tournament play would also require a five minute break every hour. Cash games would instead allow players to set daily time limits, with the government expecting Norsk Tipping to connect poker to its Spillepuls responsible gambling system.

Norway already caps total monthly losses through Norsk Tipping at NOK20,000. The ministry therefore wants a barrier between poker and online casino games so players cannot immediately continue gambling after reaching the poker limit. A 15 minute waiting period is one option under consideration.

The government has considered adding online poker for some time. An earlier policy document said the absence of a legal domestic product could weaken the ability of Norsk Tipping to direct players away from foreign gambling companies.

Marketing rules remain undecided. The consultation asks whether online poker advertising should face a complete ban or only very limited promotion. Lotteritilsynet would review the product within one year after launch.

The same regulatory package also introduces mandatory reporting of serious incidents for Norsk Tipping, Norsk Rikstoto and several major lottery and bingo operators. Smaller amendments cover how Belago bingo funds can be distributed.

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