Lotteri-og stiftelsestilsynet Issues a Warning for Local Newspaper

The Norwegian gambling regulator, Lotteri-og stiftelsestilsynet (Lottstift), has issued a warning, targeting the local newspaper outlet.

The regulator states that many Norwegian newspapers printed out odds offered by unlicensed operators, which is illegal.

According to the law which protects Norwegian gamblers, those companies are forbidden to market or offer gambling in the country.

“One part of our job is to help ensure that Norwegian laws and regulations are known in society,” the regulatory body said.

The regulators find that writing about their gaming offers is one of the illegal methods companies use to gain publicity and create a brand, which was seen back in 2015 elections.

“Getting Norwegian newspapers to write about their gaming offers is one of the methods illegal gambling companies use to gain publicity and create a brand. We also saw this in the 2015 elections. We will not intervene in editorial decisions, but we will urge Norwegian editors to be aware of this, and critical when they write cases that deal with illegal gambling companies,” Henrik Nordal, department director of the regulator said.

Violations

Lottstift said that when the media writes those cases, they help to legitimize Norway and it is already true that 6 out of 10 citizens do not know or are unsure of who can offer money games in the country and who cannot.

“Earlier this year, we oversaw two Norwegian press release services, and we concluded that extensive publication of this type of press release from various illegal gambling companies violated the prohibition on marketing and dissemination of gambling. We are concerned that gaming companies are using new marketing methods that at the same time challenge the distinction between editorial content and advertising. It will be more difficult for readers to discover if they are exposed to attempts at being influenced by the gaming companies,” Lottstift said.

Source:

“Norway’s Lottstift Warns Newspaper”, Niji Narayan, europeangaming.eu, September 9, 2019.