Finland’s horseracing concession a “contagion effect” for Norway, says trade body chief

Norwegian Industry Association for Online Gaming (NOB) general secretary, Carl Fredrik Stenstrøm, has said Finland’s shift to a multi-licence model could have a “contagion effect” on Norway.

The Finnish government sent its draft regulation to the European Commission last week, ahead of upheaving its current monopoly system and inviting foreign and local commercial operators into the market.

This move will leave bring an end to Veikkaus’ reign as the monopoly operator in the country, with the updated text noting the market should go live from January 2026.

As part of the final draft, horseracing betting was also removed from the monopoly’s control and will see commercial operators able to offer markets.

Speaking to EGR, Stenstrøm said the addition of horseracing to the commercial model was a positive one, and suggested Norway would soon have to bring an end to its own monopoly model.

Norway represents the final monopoly market in the Nordics and one of the last still standing in Europe.

The Norwegian government has been implored by trade bodies, including NOB and the European Gaming and Betting Association, to bring forth a multi-licence market.

Following Finland’s draft legislation heading to the European Commission, Stenstrøm said: “It is not surprising that Finland is following suit, as this is becoming the norm in all markets across Europe.

“We see the discussion in Norway as well, where the Norwegian Trotting Association is currently debating whether the monopoly is serving their needs for the future.”

The Norwegian Trotting Association chair Erik Skjervagen told local media last week that Finland’s move would “put further pressure on the Norwegian model”.

Stenstrøm continued: “The issue itself was on the agenda at the Finnish iGaming Conference in September, where I was a keynote speaker on this very subject.

“My predictions then – as I firmly believe is the case for Norway as well – was that the monopoly model is slowly dying, as it cannot be sustainable in an ever-changing and global market.

“I am glad that Finland will shift betting on horseracing into the licensed market, instead of the monopoly.

“I believe that this will have a contagion effect on Norway, and that the Norwegian authorities will soon realise they must move away from the old-fashioned monopoly policy they are currently pursuing,” he added.