Betsson Defies Norway iPoker Suspension And Takes Legal Counsel

Betsson and its sister sites remain accessible in Norway, despite an order from the country’ gaming regulator Lottstift for them to pull out of the Norwegian market. Betsson, Betsafe, Nordicbet, Norgesautomaten, and CasinoEuro have been ordered to exit the country for breaching gaming laws.

Betsson, through its strategic communications manager Marianne Liljekvist, said that it will remain active in Norway as it seeks advice from its legal counsel regarding the shutdown order.  All five sites operate under BLM Group Ltd, a company licensed in Malta.

On July 1, Lottstift sent a letter to BLM Group, informing them that they needed to cease offering services to Norwegian customers as it’s a breach to the country’s Lottery Act and Gambling Act. The company was also warned that it would face “coercive fines” if it fails to withdraw from the market within three weeks. Such massive fines will not be imposed as punishment, but as a way to enforce compliance, the regulator said.

Liljekvist confirmed that they’re aware of the situation and is currently consulting with their legal counsel but Betsson will continue to cater to local players for the time being.

Legal Inconsistencies Create Confusion

Norway does not generally prohibit online poker, provided that Norwegians are playing the games on a locally-licensed platform. An operator needs to be authorized by the country’s gaming regulator before it can offer its services to local players. Therefore, any online site operating in the country without a license from Lottstift is considered illegal.

A gambling monopoly regime is currently in place in Norway, with only the state-owned Norsk Tipping being granted a license to run online games. However, no online poker games will be on offer.

This is where things get complicated as operators licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority, such as BLM Group, have a right under EU free-trade laws to offer their services across Europe. If this is to be followed, then Betsson and its sister sites are not violating anything.

However, Lottstift maintains that internationally-based operators are also covered by Norway’s gaming laws when their products and services are specifically aimed at local customers.

BLM Group allegedly committed this violation when it ran online and TV promotions using Norwegian symbols. Liljekvist did not issue any comment on this matter, but she said the ongoing clash between EU free trade regulations and Norway’s own gambling laws is causing all the trouble. In fact, Betsson and its sister sites aren’t the only ones being hit with a similar shutdown order.

Full article at. https://www.tightpoker.com/news/betsson-defies-norway-ipoker-suspension-and-takes-legal-counsel-14770/