Kindred PLC’s apparent “commitment to contribute to a sustainable industry across all markets” is under the microscope as the Norwegian Lotteries Authority, Lottstift, has issued a warning to Kindred PLC subsidiary Trannel International that it will face financial penalties of NOK 1.2 million (€120,000) per day if it does not cease its unlicensed gambling activity in Norway with immediate effect.
Lottstift has confirmed that repeat offender Trannel — the company that runs Unibet, Maria Casino, Storspiller and Bingo — will face the stiffest financial penalty possible if it continues to ignore the regulator’s demands that it blocks access to its gambling sites in Norway.
Trannel was warned to cease operations as early as April 2019 when Lottstift served an order to the unlicensed company to block access for Norwegian gamblers. Trannel decided to appeal the decision to the Ministry of Culture and the Lottery Board, but this appeal was not upheld. The deadline to comply with Loftstift’s order expired on 12th March 2020.
The company also requested that the Oslo District Court assess the validity of the regulator’s decision. However, Lottstift and the two appellate bodies have rejected Trannel’s request to defer the implementation of the decision until the District Court has ruled on the case. According to court documents, the case will be heard in Oslo District Court sometime in May 2022.
In a statement released by Lottstift, Atle Hamar, General Director of The Norwegian Lotteries Foundation said:
“We take it seriously that the illegal gambling offer has not yet ended. Therefore, the Norwegian Lotteries Authority warns that we will now make a decision on a coercive fine, if Trannel does not stop offering illegal gambling in Norway.”
The decision to fine Trannel the maximum amount possible is due to the the regulator’s estimation that the company is earning somewhere in the region of NOK 437 million (€43 million) per year through unlicensed gambling in Norway.
Speaking of the fine Hamar said:
“When a gambling company that operates illegally in Norway can earn NOK 437 million on its illegal activity within a year, we owe it to the Norwegian people to do what we can to stop the illegal activity.”
He also noted that many Norwegians were completely unaware that they were using illegal gambling websites:
“Six out of ten Norwegians do not know that gaming sites such as Unibet, Maria Casino, High Roller and Bingo offer their games illegally in Norway. We want to protect those who have problems with gambling and now hope Trannel chooses to comply with Norwegian law.”
Kindred was in the spotlight recently following publication of figures showed that Kindred’s share of profits attributed to problem gambling had risen to 4%, despite the company claiming to have invested more resources into their Responsible Gambling team.
Olivia has worked as an editor and writer for major brands across multiple niches. She now focuses on the iGaming and sports betting industries.