The government of Norway has extended Norsk Rikstoto’s exclusive licence to offer bets on horse racing for another 10 years.
Norway remains one of the last European countries with a state gambling monopoly. Lottery Norsk Tipping is the only body permitted to offer online casino gaming, while Norsk Rikstoto has the exclusive rights to take bets on horse racing.
The government said that the monopoly system is necessary because the types of games offered by Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto “have high prizes, high turnover or a high risk of creating gambling problems”.
Norsk Rikstoto’s monopoly will now last at least 10 more years, as the government announced that its licence would be extended until at least the end of 2032.
Minister for culture and equality, Anette Trettebergstuen, said that she felt that Norsk Tipping understood its role as a monopoly operator and that its goals were aligned with the government.
“Norsk Rikstoto shows that they take the role of exclusive rights provider seriously, and that is good,” she said.
