If Pettersen, a member of the Conservative Party, is successful in his calls for reform, Norway’s gaming business may undergo significant changes. He reaffirmed the necessity of opening the market to private operators in an interview with Moss Avis on March 8.
According to him, offshore businesses currently own about half of Norway’s internet gaming sector. Pettersen has been actively advocating for market liberalization alongside three other party members. The party’s September 2024 election manifesto emphasized replacing the monopoly system, stating that reform would “provide greater opportunities to help those who are struggling with problem gambling.”
With Norway set to elect a new government in September, multiple parties are advocating for gambling policy changes. Norsk Bransjeforening for Onlinespill (NBO) chief Carl Fredrik Stenstrøm previously told iGB that he expects Norway to open its market by 2028.
Lessons from Sweden and Denmark
Pettersen pointed to Sweden and Denmark as examples of successful gambling market liberalization. Both countries ended their monopoly models and have not considered reversing course.
“In Norway, we can create the best model based on the experiences from Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. No one in these countries is advocating a return to a monopoly!” he stated.
Meanwhile, Sweden continues to distance itself from its monopoly operator. In December, Gustaf Hoffstedt, general secretary of Sweden’s BOS trade body, called for the government to sell its stake, arguing that state involvement presents a conflict of interest.
Pettersen also highlighted national self-exclusion programs in Sweden and Denmark, which help protect players from gambling-related harm.
“We get better prevention of gambling problems with a licensed model. This was the main reason for the reregulation in Sweden. In Sweden, over 110,000 have now used ‘Spelpaus’ which blocks players from all licensed games,” he explained.
According to Pettersen, Norway’s problem gambling rates are among the highest in Europe. However, a lack of data makes it difficult to assess the full scope, as many gamblers use unlicensed platforms.
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