Norwegian Gambling Authority surveys banks ahead of payments crackdown

The Norwegian Gambling Authority (NGA) has launched a survey to find out how banks are blocking payments from illegal gambling operators.

Data from the survey will then be sent out to 170 banks and will primarily focus on deposits and payments made to and from unlicensed firms.

The NGA said the data will be collected anonymously and will be used to develop new measures aimed at enhancing the existing payments ban in Norway.

The ban, which was introduced in February, prohibits all Norwegian banks and payment providers from accepting payments from unlicensed operators.

NGA senior advisor and lawyer Silje Sægrov Amble welcomed the survey.

“We want to find out how the banks have contact with customers who play at foreign illegal gaming companies, and how the banks inform them about the payment ban that stops the banks from paying cash premiums,” said Amble.

“We hope the banks and financial institutions will contribute this important information to prevent gambling problems that happen to players using illegal foreign gaming companies,” she added.

At present, only Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto are authorised to offer gambling in Norway under a monopoly system, however several international operators including Kindred Group operate there under EU law.

Kindred has clashed with the NGA in the past and is currently pursuing legal action over a banning order which would require them to leave the Norwegian market.

Elsewhere, members of the Norwegian parliament have called on the Norwegian government to reject calls to introduce a NOK20,000 (£1,600) monthly loss limit on horseracing bets offered by Norsk Rikstoto.