Gambling has been highly regulated in Norway since the 90s but has become increasingly popular over the years. Recent statistics indicate that the average revenue per user (ARPU) in the Norwegian gambling market is expected to reach US$288.88 by 2025, and the number of users is expected to reach 2.2 million by 2030 as more people enter the market.
Both traditional and online casinos are open to Norwegians — but each presents a different experience in terms of options and betting features. Let’s dive deeper into traditional and online casinos in Norway and why most Norwegians prefer one over the other.
Traditional Casinos in Norway
Traditional casinos are physical centers where people go to gamble with real money. Interested folks get to interact live with the dealer and other players, as well as enjoy the music and entertainment provided in the environment. Many traditional casinos come with high-end offers like spas and restaurants.
It’s not rare to see traditional casinos host shows and have other exclusive features that make them a tourism hub. But these exclusive features are absent in Norway, as the only traditional casinos are state-owned and highly restricted.
In traditional casinos, the main event is exchanging cash for casino chips, which are then used to play games. They later cash out their winnings at the counter. The range of games available in a typical traditional casino range from slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, poker, and craps, but in Norway, poker is not allowed. The only scenario where poker is allowed is in an informal setting with a maximum of 20 people and a pot of 1,000 kroner.
Norwegians are also only allowed to physically gamble for jackpot wins legally in state-owned traditional casinos like the Norsk Rikstoto and Norsk Tipping. While Norsk Rikstoto provides only horse racing betting, Norsk Tipping offers a wider range of games, including scratch, slots, table games, keno, and sports betting. Norwegians who want to gamble among friends can do so from the comfort of their homes as long as the activity is not organized as a business.
Online Casinos in Norway
Norwegians can play at online casinos with the right casino licenses. Players can access the best casinos in Norway from this list at https://www.casinospesialisten.net/. Online casinos are available from smart devices like phones and laptops and provide similar games to those offered in traditional casinos and more. Players can access slots, table games like baccarat and blackjack, instant games like keno, bingo, and aviator, and live dealer games, which are the closest simulation of a physical casino.
Unlike traditional casinos, where cash is usually the go-to option, online casino options can make deposits and withdrawals using e-wallets like PayPal, credit and debit cards, and even cryptocurrencies. Another way online casinos are different from traditional casinos in Norway? Bonuses. Traditional casinos rarely offer bonuses, whereas they are abundant in online ones. Online casinos attract players with welcome bonuses, free spins, deposit matches, and loyalty rewards. These bonuses help players maximize their winnings as much as possible.
Do Norwegians Prefer Online Casinos over Traditional Venues?
With Norwegians limited to only two state-owned casinos for land-based casinos, the number of players at these sites has been on the increase. In 2024, both of Norway’s state-run gambling operators saw growth, with Norsk Tipping’s player base rising 11% to two million and Norsk Rikstoto’s increasing 5% to 175,000.
Yet the majority of Norwegian casino players opt for international online casinos as the better alternative. The increasing use of desktop and mobile apps has been a major driver behind the increase in Norway’s online casino market.
For many Norwegians, online casinos are more convenient: they can gamble at any time of the day, requiring less hassle compared to visiting a physical casino. Also, because the state-owned casinos have limited gambling options, many Norwegians prefer international online casinos, which usually offer more variety.
These online casinos offer players more slot types, live dealer games, and more promotional bonuses. Norwegians can enjoy the extra benefits provided by foreign-based online gambling sites as long as the operators adhere to the country’s regulations.
The Norwegian government has strict rules regulating gambling, including preventing some online betting companies from providing their services to citizens by authorizing banks to prevent related transactions and ordering a DNS block on certain gambling sites. However, Norwegians can safely and legally access casino games on licensed foreign online casinos licensed by recognized gambling authorities.
When exploring online foreign casinos, Norwegians can look out for top gambling authorities like the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission. The essence of playing at a licensed casino is to ensure the platform isn’t fraudulent and provides all the necessary responsible gambling tools to guard against gambling addiction.
