Norsk Tipping is Norway’s leading games company, wholly-owned by the Norwegian state. As the country is not a member of the European Union it is not bound by its rules that make state gaming monopolies illegal. The right for the Government to maintain a state monopoly on betting activity was upheld by the Norwegian courts and confirmed by the European Free Trade Association, an organisation to which Norway does belong, last year.

The company's main objectives are to provide the Norwegian people with responsible games and entertainment within socially acceptable conditions, and at the same time ensure a secure and long-term profit for the beneficiary organizations. Profit is divided equally between the sports and culture sectors. In a transition period, a part of the profit is also allocated to the research sector.

The company operates the games of chance, Lotto, Viking Lotto and Joker; the games of skill Tipping and Oddsen, and the scratch game Flax. In addition, the company operates the TV game, Extra, on behalf of the Norwegian Foundation for Health and Rehabilitation. This week the Minister of Culture and Churches, the ministry responsible for gambling in Norway, has announced some of the toughest measures anywhere to control gaming machine gambling.

Last year the government banned all privately owned slot machines and has now placed a limit on hours of play and amounts wagered. Gaming machines will no longer accept cash or credit cards but be operated by a Norsk Tipping prepaid card sold only to registered players over the age of 18. There will be a 10 minute pause in play after one hour and the venues will be closed at night.

The new remote controlled gaming machines will be launched in September and operated solely by Norsk Tipping. Bets per game will be limited to around US$10 with a loss limit of US$80 a day and US$440 a month. The company, founded for football pool betting in 1948, says that it is the Norwegian Government’s most important instrument for ensuring that gaming is conducted in responsible and regulated forms and that it helps channel the Norwegian public’s desire for gaming towards a moderate, responsible position that does not create social problems. (E-06.13.08)

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