Norway Blocks Online Gambling

The Norwegian parliament passed legislation last week to ban financial transactions between Norwegians and online gaming sites.

Similar to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) passed in the United States in 2006, the ban is expected to be enforced toward the end of 2009. The ban means only state-owned gambling services, such as the national lottery, will remain legal.

The European Union, of which Norway is not a member, has already criticized the move, with the Brussels-based European Commission suspicious that Oslo is protecting its state gambling monopoly, Norske Tipping.

The EC has cracked down on several of its own member states over the last couple of years for protecting state gambling monopolies.

Norway's Financial Services Association also expressed concern, saying enforcement of the ban will be problematic.

The Remote Gaming Association, a UK trade body that represents most of the major online gambling organizations, had already lodged a formal complaint with the European Surveillance Agency prior to the passing of the bill in the Norwegian parliament.