Norway’s Ministry of Culture and Equality has opened a public consultation on regulatory changes that would allow state-owned Norsk Tipping to offer online poker, with a package of limits intended to reduce gambling-related harm.
The consultation was published on September 29 and remains open for responses until November 29. The ministry shortened the consultation period because it wants the amended regulations to take effect quickly and give Norsk Tipping an opportunity to begin developing a regulated online poker product.
The proposal would permit Norsk Tipping to provide online poker in two formats: tournament poker and cash games. The ministry views a domestic product as a way to direct players toward an offering operating within Norway’s existing state-controlled gambling system.
Norway currently restricts commercial gambling operators from marketing their services to Norwegian players. Several foreign poker brands have also withdrawn from the country in recent years. PokerStars exited in 2023, while Unibet and 888 also removed their local offerings.
The scale of existing online poker activity has contributed to the proposal. A University of Bergen survey from 2022 found that close to 90,000 Norwegians played online poker annually through overseas operators. Norsk Tipping’s own research estimates that between 100,000 and 150,000 people may now play each year, with as many as 130,000 active during a quarter.
Minister of Culture and Equality Lubna Jaffery described player protection as the reason for bringing the activity under the domestic system.
“Many Norwegians play online poker. It is better that we get a responsible and safer offer here in Norway, rather than unregulated games at foreign, commercial gaming companies,” she stated.
Proposed Limits Cover Losses and Poker Stakes
The consultation sets out specific restrictions that would apply if Norsk Tipping receives permission to launch online poker.
Players would face a maximum daily loss of NOK5,000 and a monthly loss ceiling of NOK10,000. People under the age of 20 would have a lower monthly limit of NOK2,000.
Tournament entries would carry a maximum buy-in of NOK2,500 including fees. Cash-game buy-ins would be capped at NOK1,000, while blinds could reach a maximum of NOK10 for the big blind and NOK5 for the small blind.
The proposed framework also limits players to four poker tables at the same time. Tournament participants would have to take a five-minute break after every hour of play.
For cash games, players could establish their own time restrictions, while Norsk Tipping would be expected to use monitoring measures designed specifically for the product. A player moving directly between online poker and online casino games would face an enforced 15-minute break.
The consultation also seeks opinions on advertising restrictions for online poker, including whether marketing should face a complete ban or substantial limitations. The discussion focuses particularly on potential exposure among younger players and other users considered vulnerable.
The ministry’s proposal reflects the existing requirement that Norsk Tipping oversee gambling products considered to require “special public control” because of their stakes or associated risks.
Reporting Rules Would Expand for Major Operators
Online poker forms the central part of the consultation, while the proposed amendments also cover reporting requirements across the gambling sector.
The ministry wants the largest operators and suppliers to report serious incidents and operational deviations to Lotteritilsynet. The requirement would apply to Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto, along with major bingo and lottery suppliers.
Under the proposal, operators would have to report qualifying incidents proactively, giving the regulator information that could support earlier intervention when significant problems arise.
The Norwegian Poker Federation has previously supported the introduction of a regulated domestic poker product, citing the protections available through a regulated alternative to offshore platforms.
The ministry’s consultation letter also explains that its aim is to allow Norsk Tipping to begin establishing online poker quickly as a responsible alternative for players who currently use unregulated operators. The official consultation remains open until November 29, 2026.
According to a consulation proposal published by Norway’s Ministry of Culture and Equality, smaller part of the regulatory package concerns the distribution of Belago funds generated through bingo activity.
The proposed changes would require payments to go to verified bank accounts associated with organizations listed in the national Voluntary Organisations Register. Organizations would also need active registration when the money is distributed.
Funds that cannot be paid under those conditions would return to Norsk Tipping for redistribution under the existing rules.