Norway’s gambling regulator has announced that it now has powers to block domain name servers of online casinos that are unlicensed to operate in the country.
The regulator has also stated that it has started plans to launch a major blocking campaign in 2024 that will target unlicensed gambling websites that allow players from Norway to access their products and services.
According to a statement released by Lottstift, director Henrik Nordal said:
“DNS blocking of websites that offer illegal gambling in Norway will probably take place from January 2024. This means that the internet provider stops you if you try to access such a website. We are getting more and more tools, and collectively we see that this has a good effect. We have advocated introducing DNS blocking as soon as possible because it is a good measure.”
He added:
“For companies planning to exit the Norwegian market and demonstrating genuine commitment through implemented measures, we will focus on providing guidance instead of resorting to punitive actions and DNS blocking.”
Norway’s online gambling industry operates as a strict state-controlled monopoly with Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto the only legal options available to local gamblers.
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