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Compliance Updates

Norwegian Court Rules Norsk Tipping’s Gaming Monopoly Does Not Breach EEA Law

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The Borgarting Court of Appeal in Oslo has confirmed that the exclusive gambling rights model held by Norsk Tipping in Norway is not in contravention of the EEA Agreement.

Currently, in Norway, only Norsk Tipping may offer most forms of gambling, while Norsk Rikstoto holds a monopoly to offer horse racing.

The case was brought to the Oslo District Court and Borgarting Court of Appeal from 2018, by lottery operator Norsk Lotteri AS after it applied for a gambling licence in the jurisdiction. It said Norsk Tipping’s monopoly was in contravention of the EEA Agreement.

According to the European Free Trade Association – the intergovernmental organisation of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – the EEA Agreement guarantees equal rights and obligations within the Internal Market for individuals and businesses in the EEA (European Economic Area).

It provides for the inclusion of EU legislation covering the four freedoms; the free movement of goods, services, persons and capital throughout the 30 EEA States.

The Borgarting Court of Appeal has now ruled that Norsk Tipping’s monopoly on gambling may be maintained, as it is not in contravention of Article 31 of the EEA Agreement.

This article states that there “shall be no restrictions on the freedom of establishment of nationals of an EC member state or an EFTA state in the territory of any other of these states” and that this includes “the setting up of agencies, branches or subsidiaries”.

The Court concluded that the exclusive rights model was suitable for channelling players to a more responsible gaming offer, and therefore contributes to reducing the extent of gambling problems.

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Ben Clemes

High Roller Submits Gaming License Application in Ontario

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High Roller Technologies, operator of the premium online casino brands High Roller and Fruta, announced the submission of its Internet Gaming Operator license application in Ontario, Canada, targeting the launch of its flagship brand HighRoller.com in the second half of 2025.

“The submission of our licensing application to access Ontario’s regulated online gambling market is an important milestone in our Company’s journey. Once our application is approved, we anticipate that we will have the opportunity to launch our online casino product into the market later this year,” said Ben Clemes, Chief Executive Officer at High Roller.

Ontario is one of the largest regulated online gambling markets in the world as measured by gross gaming revenue. In 2024, regulated online gambling operators within the province generated approximately $2.3B in gross gaming revenue, and growth continues to be recorded in the first half of 2025. Recently, the province of Alberta passed enabling legislation to establish a regulatory framework for online gambling. Once available, the Company also intends to pursue licensure in Alberta to expand its regulated market footprint in Canada.

“Ontario is missing an elegant brand like High Roller. We’re excited to roll out the red carpet for our new customers, and we’re looking forward to showcasing our tremendous product,” said Clemes.

The post High Roller Submits Gaming License Application in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Compliance Updates

UKGC Launches New Consumer Voice Framework

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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has unveiled a new and improved Consumer Voice framework, marking a major step forward in how the regulator listens to and understands the experiences of people who gamble in Great Britain.

The new framework expands the Commission’s research capabilities by introducing four specialist research suppliers, each bringing unique expertise to the table. This shift allows the Commission to delve deeper into the views, motivations, and behaviours of gambling consumers – including those from underrepresented or harder-to-reach groups such as people gambling on specific gambling products, particular demographic groups and those experiencing negative consequences from their own or someone else’s gambling.

Under the new framework, the Consumer Voice programme will now be supported by:

Yonder Consulting – specialists in mixed methodology research

The Behavioural Insights Team – experts in experimental and behavioural research

Humankind Research – qualitative experts with a focus on hard-to-reach audiences

Savanta – providers of fast-turnaround, cost-effective research.

Each supplier has signed a two-year contract, with the potential for extension until 2029.

“This new framework gives us greater agility and reach than ever before. With these four partners, we’re better equipped to commission high-quality research quickly and use a range of approaches to respond to emerging trends or risks as they develop. The Consumer Voice programme is central to our efforts to ensure our decisions are grounded in the lived experiences of all consumers and the evolving realities of gambling,” said the Gambling Commission’s Head of Research, Laura Carter.

Consumer Voice complements the Commission’s nationally representative Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) by offering a flexible, targeted approach to gathering insight. It allows the Commission to conduct deep dives into specific issues, test new ideas and track consumer sentiment over time.

In 2024 alone, the programme engaged with over 10,000 gambling consumers. Previous studies have tackled issues like financial risk checks, bonus incentives and gambling during the cost-of-living crisis.

Joe Wheeler, Associate Director of Yonder Consulting, said: “Over the past three years Yonder Consulting have partnered with the Gambling Commission in delivering mixed-methods research for the Consumer Voice Programme. We’ve supported on a wide range of impactful research programmes, covering elements of the consumer experience like trust in the industry, engagement with the unlicensed market, behaviours during key sporting events and the impact of marketing and bonus offers. We’re delighted to continue our ongoing partnership and to support the Commission in delivering against key policy evidence gaps.”

Eleanor Collerton, Senior Advisor of the Behaviour Insights Team (BIT), said: “We’re delighted to contribute to the Gambling Commission’s Consumer Voice programme. As a global research and innovation consultancy, BIT combines a deep understanding of human behaviour with evidence-led problem solving to improve people’s lives. We’re excited to contribute our expertise in experimental research to generate new insights, address key evidence gaps, and help ensure consumer voices shape meaningful and effective gambling policy, building on more than five years of work to reduce gambling harms in GB.”

Tom Silverman, Co-Founder of Humankind Research, said: “Humankind Research specialises in research with a positive impact, and much of our work is exploring lived experience of complex issues and under-served groups. So we are delighted to be chosen to be the Gambling Commission’s partner for ‘in-depth qualitative research’ within the Consumer Voice framework. It is a fantastic opportunity to work in close collaboration with the Commission to really understand the experiences and needs of people who are involved in or affected by gambling; using sensitive and inclusive research approaches to gain strategic insights that can help to guide policy and priorities.”

The post UKGC Launches New Consumer Voice Framework appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Compliance Updates

Michel Groothuizen Joins GREF as Board Member

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Michel Groothuizen, chairman of the Netherlands Gambling Authority, has been unanimously appointed as general board member of the board of the Gambling Regulators European Forum (GREF) for the period 2025-27. GREF is a partnership in which gambling regulators from Europe share knowledge, experiences and best practices and work together on a safe and fair gambling market.

In his new role, he will spend the next two years working to strengthen the importance of GREF and to further grow the organisation. His personal mission is to work with other regulators to establish shared standards in the area of gambling supervision.

“An example of this is the clear standard that gambling under the age of 18 is an absolute no go,” said Groothuizen.

He looks forward to a pleasant collaboration with other countries in the coming administrative period.

The post Michel Groothuizen Joins GREF as Board Member appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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