The Norwegian Government maintains that remote gambling presents a greater threat to levels of gambling addiction in Norwegian society than the slot machine sector it brought under state control in July 2007 and is confident that the proposed blanket ban on all gambling transactions will thus stand up to scrutiny of Norway’s free-trade commitments under the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement.

New Norwegian legislation requiring payment providers to block payments to online gaming operators will reinforce the state monopoly. Draft regulations implementing blocking measures has recently received criticism from both within the country and abroad.

The Norwegian government may change new legislation designed to stop payments to internet gambling companies, after coming under fire from industry groups during a recent consultation process.

Norway is set to become the first European country to implement controversial legislation requiring banks to block payments to unlicensed gaming operators.

In the final part of a survey of global internet gambling payments bans, GamblingCompliance looks at recent measures taken in Norway and Holland that would oblige banks to block online gambling transactions. The success or failure of these two projects could determine the viability of payments bans throughout Europe, observers believe.

By formally submitting a proposal for public comment, the Norwegian government last week confirmed its intention to force banks, credit card companies and other financial institutions to block transactions to and from gambling websites.

The Norwegian Government has formally submitted its proposed online gambling payments ban for a parliamentary vote. The restrictions recently drew criticism from the European Commission in Brussels who view them as disproportionate, but strongly negative local press coverage demonising online gambling websites has raised the possibility of further ISP blocking measures being introduced in Norway.

Norway’s slot machine industry has come under the exclusive control of state-owned Norsk Tipping following the Norwegian Supreme Court’s ruling last week that the proposed state monopoly on slot machines was compliant with European Economic Area (EEA) rules.

Norsk Tipping’s announcement that it will introduce compulsory player registration for all its gambling services, except instant scratchcards, draws on last month’s decision in the EFTA Court that justified its monopoly on grounds of maintaining public order and preventing problem gambling.

Norsk Tipping has announced its intention to apply mandatory spending limits across its suite of lottery and gaming products, while the company also said it will approach the Norwegian government to prohibit players less than 18 years of age from buying lottery and scratchcard tickets in Norway.