Norwegian Gambling Authority Issues Warning Letters to Private Individuals Over World Cup Content Linking to Offshore Operators
World Cup fever is running high in Norway, with Norsk Tipping reporting record levels of activity across its platforms. Despite the state operator’s strong performance, offshore gambling operators remain active in the Norwegian market, and marketing activity appears to have increased significantly.
Although Norway’s traditional summer holiday period has just begun, the Norwegian Gambling Authority (Lotteritilsynet) does not appear to be slowing down.
According to the public register of official correspondence, the regulator has sent more than 10 information letters to private individuals who shared what the authority considers to be potential advertising for unlicensed gambling operators in Facebook groups.
A Different Regulatory Approach
What makes these letters noteworthy is that, rather than determining whether the content actually constitutes illegal gambling promotion, the regulator appears to have adopted a broader approach. Critics may argue that it is casting the net unusually wide.
The letters state:
“The Norwegian Gambling Authority would like to emphasize that we have not carried out a supervisory investigation of the recipient of this letter. However, based on the content and documentation we have received, we believe it is likely that activities contrary to the Gambling Act are taking place. Beyond basic inquiries in connection with the tips we have received, we have not conducted a specific legal assessment as to whether a breach of the legislation has occurred.
We are sending you this letter to ensure that you are aware of the applicable regulations and, where appropriate, can adjust your conduct accordingly.”
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Unlike the regulator’s more common enforcement notices, these letters do not include warnings of coercive fines or formal demands to cease publishing content. Instead, they function more as informational notices that could be interpreted as a signal that the authority is monitoring the recipients’ activities and expects compliance with Norwegian gambling regulations.
No Supporting Documentation Included
For some recipients, it may be obvious which content prompted the letter. For others, however, the notice could be confusing.
The letters reportedly contain no supporting documentation, such as screenshots, links, or references to specific Facebook posts that the regulator believes may violate the Gambling Act.
Lotteritilsynet also asks recipients to confirm that they have received the letter. According to responses reviewed by us, several recipients have requested documentation explaining which specific content the regulator believes may be in breach of the regulations.
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