Betsson has been instructed to cease operations in Norway. The Norwegian Gaming Authority has issued a directive to BML Group’s subsidiary, Betsson, to halt the provision of gambling services to Norwegian patrons.

Betsson has been told to stop operating in Norway. The Norwegian Lottery Authority (Lottstift) has informed the operator, which oversees websites such as Betsson and Betsafe, that it must discontinue offering gambling services in Norway unless it acquires a Norwegian license. Other brands that must cease commercial dealings with Norwegian residents include the group’s Nordicbet, Norgesautomaten, and CasinoEuro.

In a preliminary notice, issued under the Public Administration Act, the regulatory body stated that the BML Group was providing Norwegians with the opportunity to participate in lotteries and gambling through websites employing Norwegian names and symbols. These websites were also being advertised on Norwegian television.

Lottstift evaluated that these websites were “clearly aimed at Norway” and therefore contravened the Lottery Act and the Gambling Act.

The agency further indicated that it had made a comparable response to Trannel International, a subsidiary of Kindred Group, whose subsequent order was upheld by the appeals body. It stated that it had notified Malta-licensed BML Group Limited, as well as the three directors at the company’s address listed in the Maltese commercial register.

Although BML Group’s gaming permit is granted by Maltese authorities, the firm provides online games that draw in players from the Norwegian market and permits Norwegian residents to sign up as players, thus participating in unlawful gambling operations within Norway.

The Lottery Act and Gambling Act apply equally to gambling activities carried out from abroad, as long as these activities target the Norwegian market.

The Norwegian Lottery Authority’s investigation into the payment service prohibition also found that BML Group Limited is actively trying to bypass Norway’s ban on payments to foreign gambling companies.

According to the Gambling Act, Norsk Tipping in Norway has exclusive rights to provide online casino games, bingo, scratch cards, and odds games.

The Norwegian Lottery Authority can impose compulsory fines to enforce the Lottery Act and Gambling Act.

The agency added, “If the unlawful relationship does not end after a ruling is made, the Norwegian Lottery Authority will consider issuing compulsory fines until the unlawful gambling activity is corrected or stopped.

Compulsory fines are not penalties, and the obligation to pay compulsory fines does not depend on fault but is triggered by the occurrence of an unlawful relationship and should be set high enough that it is not economically worthwhile to pay for non-compliance with the ruling.

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