Norway confirms online bingo regulatory relaxations to continue
Regulator confirms direct marketing and bonuses prohibited under lessened restrictions
The Norwegian Gambling Authority (NGA) has extended a period allowing land-based bingo operators to hold online draws without a corresponding retail draw until 13 April.
Land-based operators have been able to hold online draws on this basis, with the exemption period originally expected to end on 29 March, however the period has now been extended.
Bingo operators had previously been prohibited from offering online versions of the game without holding a corresponding land-based draw.
In addition to confirming the extension, the NGA has introduced additional restrictions on marketing which bingo operators must fulfil in order to be exempted from the previous prohibition.
Operators must not directly market bingo games to players, either through text message, email or other means of direct marketing.
In addition, the regulator has said land-based bingo operators must not offer bonuses to players utilising online bingo in order to qualify for the regulatory exemption.
The revised regulations follow the closure of the country’s bingo halls as part of restrictions on movement due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
In-person registration requirements for online bingo have been suspended as part of the revised standards, with players instead directed to complete verification online using BankID.
However, all individuals doing so are required to register in person once the current restrictions on movement have ceased, or have their accounts deleted by the respective operator.
In addition, bingo operators are only allowed to offer bingo games between 10am and 10pm daily, with operators limited to offering one game at a time.
A payment of funds to social and charitable causes by bingo operators as part of Norwegian regulations has also been postponed following the Covid-19 pandemic.