To ease the impact of Covid-19, Norway’s gaming authority will allow land-based bingo halls to operate in an online-only capacity, thanks to the relaxing of regulations that require a physical draw to take place. These drastic measures are required to mitigate the impact of the Coronavirus on the gaming sector.
According to Norwegian gambling regulations, consumers can engage in online bingo, but the games must be linked to those that would occur in land-based venues. Although, many operators have contacted Lotteri-og Stiftelsestilsynet (the Norwegian Gaming and Foundation Authority) for exemptions from the new rule.
March the 12th saw a lock-down on all cultural, sporting and voluntary activities in Norway (including bingo halls and casinos), in a bid to slow down the spread of the potentially deadly virus.
Bingo games will still only be available between 10am and 10pm – the rules are pretty strict with this one and bingo operators are only allowed to play one game at a time. Other regulations that have been relaxed is the law around registration – no longer will consumers need to register in person, they can do this completely online.
Lotteritilsynet have stated that these new rules will be in place until…
…March 29th, but they will continue to review the situation and if demand calls for it, they will extend them for another set period of time. A compensation fund worth an estimated NOK300m (£23.7m) has also been set up by the Norwegian Government to help businesses, teams, associations and individuals who are part of the running of cultural, sporting or voluntary events to help with the impact of ‘lock-down.’
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Source: “Norway allows online-only bingo to ease Covid-19 impact”. iGaming Business. March 18, 2020.
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Comments (1)
Bubles12
03/25/20, 10:03:46 AM
Such a strange law to relax. How can they link the club and games? It’s not as easy as people think. Yes, you can stream via Facebook, but how would tickets be marked? Can’t see many doing it this way at all.
