Norway Proposes Regulated Online Poker Through Norsk Tipping

Norway’s Ministry of Culture and Equality has proposed changes to the country’s gambling rules that would allow state-owned Norsk Tipping to introduce online poker under a regulated framework.

The proposal is designed to address the existing demand for online poker by bringing players from unlicensed platforms into a controlled environment with responsible gambling safeguards. The Ministry said the intention is not to increase gambling activity, but to ensure that current demand can be handled within regulated limits.

The consultation will remain open until 29 November 2026. The government has set a shorter consultation period to give Norsk Tipping more time to prepare for a potential launch.

The proposed amendments also cover compliance obligations for major gambling operators, including new requirements for reporting serious deviations, as well as minor changes to rules covering the distribution of Belago funds.

Online Poker Proposal Targets Unlicensed Activity

Online poker is currently not included in Norway’s legal gambling framework, although poker is permitted in certain circumstances, including private games and the country’s annual national championship.

According to surveys cited by the Ministry, more than 90,000 people in Norway play poker online each year, with almost all of this activity taking place through operators without a Norwegian licence.

The Ministry said this creates a challenge for its “kanalisering” principle, which aims to move gambling activity into regulated channels where player protection measures can be applied.

Culture and Equality Minister Lubna Jaffery said the large existing player base makes a regulated Norwegian offering preferable to unlicensed online poker provided by foreign commercial operators.

Proposed Limits for Online Poker Players

The proposed framework would place strict financial and participation limits on online poker.

Players would face a daily loss limit of NOK 5,000 and a monthly loss limit of NOK 10,000, while younger players would be subject to lower limits. Tournament buy-ins would be capped at NOK 2,500, and cash-game stakes would be restricted to a maximum of NOK 1,000 per table.

The proposal also includes mandatory breaks. Players participating in tournaments would have to take a five-minute break every hour. A 15-minute cooling-off period would apply when players move between poker and online casino games.

Participation would also be restricted to a maximum of four poker tables at the same time. Norsk Tipping would use its “Spillepuls” tool to monitor player risk and promote healthier gambling behaviour.

The consultation is additionally seeking feedback on potential restrictions on online poker advertising. Options include a complete marketing ban or significant limits, particularly with regard to younger and vulnerable users who may be attracted to poker because of its cultural profile.

New Deviation Reporting Requirements

The wider proposal would introduce additional reporting obligations for major gambling operators.

Norsk Tipping, Norsk Rikstoto and other large operators would be required to report serious deviations to regulators when incidents could have an impact on player safety or the integrity of the gambling market.

The measures form part of the Ministry’s proposed amendments alongside the introduction of a regulated online poker framework.