The Norwegian Lottery Authority has published its annual report, revealing both a significant shift in gambling habits and emerging concerns within the country. On the positive side, the report shows a steady decline in foreign gambling activity. However, it also highlights increasing risks among younger players.
Domestic Gambling on the Rise
In 2024, over 2 million players engaged with Norsk Tipping’s online platform, a notable rise compared to 1.8 million in 2023. Meanwhile, Norsk Rikstoto also reported higher user numbers. As a result, revenue from games that compete directly with foreign operators grew from NOK 2.6bn ($285m) to NOK 3.1bn over the same period.
Conversely, foreign gaming companies experienced a downturn, with net turnover falling from NOK 1.6bn to NOK 1.3bn year-on-year.
Steady Progress but Challenges Remain
Commenting on these trends, Tore Bell, Director of the Norwegian Lottery Authority, said: “The foreign market is getting smaller year by year. We see that the number of players at the exclusive operators is increasing and that their turnover on games in competition with the foreign operators is increasing.”
Moreover, Bell noted that more players are now opting for Norwegian games when gambling, signalling a growing loyalty to domestic platforms. Nevertheless, foreign operators still retain a 22–28% market share in high-risk categories such as online casinos.
Young Players Under Scrutiny
Although these developments are encouraging, the report also raises red flags regarding younger demographics, particularly those aged 18–25. Authorities observed higher instances of risky gambling behaviour within this group, sparking concerns about potential long-term harm.
Furthermore, the report calls for Norsk Tipping to implement stronger measures to reduce risks associated with online casino and computer games targeting young adults.
Additional Regulatory Measures
This comes after Norway introduced stricter monthly loss limits for young players in January 2025, part of a broader initiative to minimise gambling-related harm among vulnerable groups.
Ultimately, while Norway is making progress in reducing foreign gambling influence, tackling youth gambling risks remains a top priority.
