Gambling in Norway has a rich history, stretching back to the Viking era when some set of people became unsatisfied with merely playing pastimes to pass the time and for fun.
However, commercial gambling activities are complicatedly deemed illegal in Norway, with the exception of a few state-owned entities: Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto. Norsk Tipping oversees online casinos, KENO, slots, sports betting, and lotteries in the country, while Norsk Rikstoto exclusively manages betting related to horse racing.
Don’t even grin, though, because you won’t find the typical full-fledged physical casinos you might be familiar with from other countries in Norway. Instead, with your Norsk Tipping ID, you can access limited mini casino cafés equipped with modified slot machines designed to mitigate addiction issues. You know, that would be boring. As a result, the gambling market in Norway has managed to shine online.
Uhm… Perhaps not so bright for unlicensed gambling businesses or any global online gambling business accepting players from here. Because since 2010, the Norwegian government has enacted a law for banks to deny credit and debit card payments to online casinos worldwide, including land-based ones. The only exception, again, is if the operation is run by Norway’s gambling market monopoly players. The government aims to be the only puppeteer or big gainer in the industry.
Don’t lose heart just yet! This post will guide you through the top gambling-related locations in Norway, and I might even throw in some cherries on top for you.
In addition, there are still some other things you can do in Norway that I will show you in this post. Consider this your comprehensive guide to enjoying gambling in a country such as Norway, which has made a pledge to keep gambling boring for you.
As mentioned before, most gambling activities in Norway are illegal if they are not offered by Norsk Tipping or Norsk Rikstoto.
Norsk Tipping was founded in 1948, headquartered in Harmer, Norway. It allows people in Norway to play different kinds of gambling games such as lottery, sports betting, KENO, joker, etc.
Scattered around Norway, you’ll find mini casino cafés operated by Norsk Tipping. Even though the slots might not offer the energy of a traditional casino, they provide a legal and regulated way to enjoy some light gambling. Again, you’ll need your Norsk Tipping ID to play. If you prefer online games, Norsk Tipping also offers options such as KENO.
This company follows rules from the Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs. They have rules about when people can gamble, and how much money they can spend.
Perhaps the Norwegian government “just” wants to ensure that Norsk Tipping operates in a manner that prioritises the safety and security of players.
This is one of the best physical casino cafés you want to check out in Norway.
Tilt isn’t just a bar, and it’s a hub of entertainment in Oslo. As the first and largest venue of its kind in Norway, it offers a variety of pinball and arcade games. The lively atmosphere is further amplified by regular concerts and DJ nights.
In the fall of 2017, Tilt concluded that the space dedicated to fun wasn’t enough, so to make the bar bigger and even more fun, Tilt opened a cellar in the bar where you can play classic games, including Crazy Taxi (1999), Space Invaders (1978), Donkey Kong (1981) and so on. I know those ones might not give off a casino vibe. To bring in a touch of the casino atmosphere, Tilt went further to bring in brand new pinball machines, such as Avengers: Infinite Quest (2022), Deadpool (2018), among others.
If you’re an action-packed type of person, you can also enjoy various fighting games, including Tekken Tag Tournament (1999) and Street Fighter III (1999).
At Tilt, Oslo, it’s all fun and an unforgettable experience. You might not know this: Tilt is the first in Europe to have ice hockey and soccer games in the “Bubble Hockey” setup, with games such as Super Kixx Pro (2018) and Super Chexx Ice Hockey (2017).
Tilt is a place where you can drop in anytime, and there are a lot of different games available. The number of machines is over 2,500. It’s a great place to spend an evening, even if it doesn’t offer traditional casino games. At least you are having a-bit-Vegas-level fun without leaving Norway.
This is one of the cherries on top I promised, and there might be more of them waiting for you in the future. The crown jewel of casinos in Sweden, a stone’s throw away from Norway, is none other than Casino Cosmopol in Stockholm. It is located in a stunning historical edifice in the heart of the city, this casino offers many of the games you know and love. If you’re a rich kid, you can reach it by air in about 3 hours from Oslo, Norway. However, if you’re watching your budget, a bus ride, which is the next fastest option, takes around 5 hours.
At Casino Cosmopol, you can find classic casino games. From Roulette and Blackjack to various forms of Poker including Texas Hold ’Em and Three Card Poker, they’ve got it all. Not to mention, they have a wide array of slot machines, ranging from timeless classics to the latest ones.
And if you get hungry or thirsty, they’ve got a restaurant and several bars where you can quench your hunger and thirst. Wait, wait, wait. Let’s not forget about the esteemed poker events they host throughout the year, with satellites arranged both at the casino and online via Svenska Spel Poker, among others.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. If you’re up for a bit of travel and are seeking an authentic casino experience, this adventure could be just the ticket for you.
Come and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere, make new friends, have fun, eat good food, and have a good time all in one spot. You get to experience real casino experience. I am sure you won’t want to return to Norway.
Beyond the lame online gaming offerings by the government, you can experience real online gambling on sites licensed outside of Norway.
Despite Norway’s strict laws, these sites have managed to flourish in the Norwegian market. Yeah, it’s generally “safer” and “hassle-free” to stick with local options including Norsk Tipping, however, if you are the “commissioner of enjoyment” you shouldn’t be really worried. Go ahead with these offshore sites.
Even if your Norwegian bank restricts transactions with these sites, you can still make payments using online wallets such as Skrill, PayPal, Neteller, or even cryptocurrencies. If access is blocked, you could use a VPN. You might not always need that as many sites are willing to bypass the restrictions and accept your real money bets and true IP address.
One funny thing is that, as a Norwegian, you are obliged to report any winnings made in a foreign country for tax purposes.
Let’s take a look at some standout offshore online gambling options among the multitude of regular, live, and mobile online casinos.
This online casino is for the big boys and even beginners with eyes for good stuff and looking for big bonuses. Rebellion Casino was established in 2023 and is already shaking the table. This casino is a warehouse of excitement with its generous bonuses and a wide array of your beloved games (blackjack, roulette).
Rebellion Casino offers a welcome bonus of 100% up to €1,000 and 100 free spins. Imagine what that is equivalent to in NOK and the exhilaration of playing with that much extra in your account! No! The bonuses don’t stop there. You can look forward to a 100% bonus on your second deposit, 50% on your third, fourth, and fifth deposits, and even a reload bonus of 50% up to €500.
The casino accepts a variety of payment methods, including Neosurf, Neteller, Paysafecard, Rapid Transfer, Siru Mobile, Skrill, and Google Pay. With a minimum deposit of just €20 and a maximum bonus bet of €5. Rebellion Casino is a subsidiary of Dama N.V., which is registered in Curaçao and operates under an E-gaming license from there.
From live dealer games to sports betting, no gambler on Rebellion Casino will complain about not getting enough. You even get smooth payouts and a withdrawal time of just 1-3 days, and your winnings are always within reach. No problem. And… You get 24/7 live chat support at your fingertips.
This one is another cool one with up to NOK 11,000 welcome bonus. My jaw is on the floor. CasiGo Casino is a good online casino. This top-notch casino is built on a solid foundation of a diverse collection of games (VideoPoker, baccarat, slots) and live casino options, in 2020, and is completely controlled and licenced by the Malta Gaming Authority.
Apart from the welcome bonus mentioned before, CasiGo Casino has many other bonuses to offer but let’s stick to the second sweetest: 375 free spins. It has very good responsible gambling features (the Norwegian govt. might even love it) and round-the-clock customer support.
Even if you only have €10 to deposit, CasiGo welcomes you with open arms, accepting a wide range of payment methods.
CasiGo Casino also offers fast withdrawals, too. Oh my, this is a lot of enjoyment in one package.
The name “Hugo” seems to be just a letter away from “Huge,” and it’s fitting for this online casino that burst onto the market in 2023. Despite being a newcomer, Hugo Casino has quickly carved a niche for itself. It’s more than just the exceptional and extensive collection of games (video slots, table games); the swift withdrawal process, absence of deposit fees, and attractive offers for new players are also involved.
The casino supports a variety of payment methods, but mostly cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum. Similarly to CasiGo, you can deposit a minimum of just €10.
On Hugo Casino, you are welcomed on registration with options for a 100% bonus up to €150 plus 100 free spins or a 225% bonus up to NOK 7,000 plus 275 free spins. Hugo operates under the license of a big online casino company, GBL Solutions N.V., from Curaçao.
There are also cashback opportunities to take advantage of. With all these features, Hugo Casino makes a gigantic promise to you.
The future of gambling in Norway is clouded with uncertainty due to the country’s stringent gambling regulations. The number of mini cafés and other establishments may dwindle unless they can grow into larger operations, such as hotel casinos. This metamorphosis would involve expanding their services to offer a wider range of gambling activities similar to those found in traditional casinos.
However, this would require state approval, which is almost impossible to get. As the legal and regulatory conditions tighten, gambling may increasingly shift towards online platforms.
Yet, you know, the future isn’t set in stone. Changes in public sentiment and subsequent policy alterations could influence the course of Norway’s gambling industry. Moreover, advancements in technology could also influence things.
I know that restrictions can sometimes make you want to push the boundaries. Just calm down and follow the rules. And I almost forgot to mention that you can do mini-gambling with friends, given it’s non-commercial. It could be maybe poker at a picnic or a similar gathering. It is completely legal.
If you want to go online, I suspect you’re not considering Norsk Tipping’s platform. Anyhow, make sure the casino you choose is regulated or licensed by a reputable authority. Also, opt for casinos that provide round-the-clock customer support so you can get assistance whenever you need it. Or simply stick to what the government has to offer.
For entrepreneurs, I would advise against setting up any gambling establishments unless the current restrictions are not enough for you and you want to get restricted in those nice Norwegian prison cells that are equivalent to a $1,500 per month apartment in the US.
