Tage Pettersen calls for reform: Why Norway should open its gambling market
Norways gambling industry is at a crossroads, with growing calls for an end to the state-controlled monopoly model. Tage Pettersen, a Conservative Party politician, has emerged as a leading voice advocating for market liberalisation, arguing that it will offer better protection for players and address the shortcomings of the current system. With a national election looming in September 2025, the debate over gambling reform has taken centre stage.
The case for Norway market liberalisation
Pettersen believes that Norways gambling monopoly, led by , is failing to protect players adequately. In a recent interview with , he estimated that up to 50% of Norways online gambling market is currently controlled by offshore operators. These unlicensed platforms operate outside Norwegian regulations, leaving players vulnerable to risks such as problem gambling and fraud.
The Conservative Party has made gambling reform a key part of its platform, calling for the monopoly model to be replaced with a licensing system that allows private operators to enter the market. We can create the best model based on the experiences from Denmark, Sweden and Finland, Pettersen said, pointing out that none of these countries have regretted ending their monopolies.
He also highlighted Swedens success with its national self-exclusion register, Spelpaus, which has helped over 110,000 players block themselves from all licensed gambling platforms. We get better prevention of gambling problems with a licensed model, he noted.
Norsk Tippings recent failings
The debate over Norways gambling monopoly has intensified following a series of high-profile issues involving Norsk Tipping. In February 2025, the state-owned operator was fined NOK 36 million (3.1 million) after a technical glitch in its iOS app prevented players from self-excluding between January and May 2024. The failure exposed vulnerable players to potential harm and raised questions about Norsk Tippings ability to fulfil its player protection responsibilities.
The Norwegian regulator, Lotteritilsynet, criticised Norsk Tipping for not having adequate systems in place to detect and resolve such issues promptly. Although alternative self-exclusion methods were available through other channels, the regulator argued that these were insufficient compared to the convenience of mobile access.
This incident is not an isolated case. Critics have long accused Norsk Tipping of prioritising revenue generation over player safety, despite its mandate as a monopoly operator to minimise gambling-related harm. For example, the loss limits that the company has implemented for young adults and high-risk games have been criticised as reactive rather than proactive.
Lessons from Nordic neighbours
Norway is currently the only Scandinavian country maintaining a state-controlled monopoly on gambling. However, its Nordic neighbours have demonstrated the benefits of market liberalisation. Denmark was the first in the region to open its online gambling market in 2012, introducing a licensing system that has since achieved a channelisation rate of 90%.
Similarly, Sweden ended its monopoly in 2019 and has seen significant improvements in player protection through initiatives like Spelpaus.
Pettersen argues that Norway can learn from these examples to design a system tailored to its needs. In Norway, we can create the best model, he said, emphasising that no stakeholders in Denmark or Sweden are advocating for a return to monopolies.
However, transitioning to an open market is not without challenges. Stakeholders in Sweden have called for further reforms to address conflicts of interest between the government and state-owned operators like Svenska Spel. Gustaf Hoffstedt, general secretary of Swedens BOS trade body, recently urged the Swedish government to sell off its stake in Svenska Spel to eliminate these conflicts.
Growing momentum for change in Norway
With multiple political parties pushing for reform ahead of September’s election, there is growing momentum for change in Norways gambling sector. Carl Fredrik Stenstr?m, head of Norway’s online gambling trade body NBO, predicts that the market could open as early as 2028 if reforms are enacted.
Pettersen plans to present his views on market liberalisation at the upcoming Conservative Party conference later this month. This is about creating greater opportunities to help those struggling with problem gambling, he said.
