ENDING THE MONOPOLY


Carl Fredrik Stenstrøm of NBO argues that after decades of resisting reform, Norway may finally be ready to replace its state-run model with a licensed system—driven by political momentum, mounting gambling harm, and a need for stronger funding of culture and sport.


For nearly 80 years, the state has had a tight grip on gambling in Norway. But as the grip has tightened, more and more players have slipped through their fingers, taking their money elsewhere. Tis is why a change may be on the horizon.


Te reasoning – mission statement – for the current monopoly is clear cut, and admirable. It is meant to decrease the prevalence of problems related to gambling in Norway, and it shall ensure that culture and sports get a predictable, stable and sufficient funding. And for a long time, the monopoly fulfilled their task dutifully. Enter the dawn of internet, and increased connectivity.


144


CARL FREDRIK STENSTRØM General Secretary Norsk Bransjeforening for Onlinespill (NBO).


www.nbo.no carl.stenstrom@nbo.no


Carl is the General Secretary of the Norwegian gambling association - Norsk Bransjeforening for Onlinespill (NBO).


As in the rest of the world, the sheer number of alternatives to the monopoly skyrocketed in the early 2000s. Norwegians that only had experienced a system with lottery numbers scribbled down on slips of paper, could now access a plethora of different sites from their computer in the comfort of their own home. Te government, as governments often are, was totally unprepared for this new situation.


Fearing the consequences, they quickly set out to defend the status quo. Any change was, by definition, dangerous and should be feared.


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