Norway Online Gaming Ban Will Face Challenges

In a move seen to be in consonance with the USA's controversial UIGEA legislation, Norwegian authorities are set to impose similar constraints on their citizens. In the wake of this news, a rigorous debate has ensued, with many gaming aficionados and civil rights activists crying foul.

Government defense
At the heart of the contentious issue is the government's desire to protect the interests of problem gamblers. Amidst a flurry of political efforts to hammer out the details of the impending 2010 legislation are many vocal opponents of the future legislation. Ironically the Norwegian state-run company Norske Tipping will remain unaffected by the legislation. For now online poker and online gaming have been hardest hit.

Potential for disaster
If such legislation goes uncontested, there is sure to be a backlash within the EU community with many already citing unfair trade practices. But even more alarming is the blind-eye that the state has turned to Norske Tipping. It appears that the government owned entity, operated by the Norwegian Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs, is Teflon coated and it continues to operate instant games, lotto and sports betting.

Norway's finest
Memories of yesteryear abound with Norway's poker playing champion Annette Obrestad who won the WSOP Europe Main Event in 2007 at age 19. To complicate matters further, there were 4 other Scandinavians competing for glory. Denmark ruled that poker is a skill-based game, Sweden is opposed to it and now Norway is going to block all Norwegian IP addresses from online casino operators.