– We want to prevent and limit gambling problems for the sake of the players and their relatives, says Helge Kvamsås, political adviser in the Ministry of Culture and Equality. In Norway, there are now almost 200 bingo halls where there has been no ceiling on how much you can lose. The industry has a turnover of more than NOK 5 billion a year. The Government is now proposing to introduce a loss limit of NOK 900 a day and a maximum of NOK 4,400 a month. The proposal is out for consultation until 8 August. Political adviser in the Ministry of Culture and Equality, Helge Kvamsås. Photo: Ilja C. Hendel / Ministry of Culture and Equality 44.1 per cent of those who play computer bingo in bingo rooms are considered moderate risk players or problem players. This is shown by the Population Survey from last year. – We have halved the number of problem players. And that is because we have implemented a number of measures to stop and limit gambling. Now it’s time to do something about the bingo games, says Kvamsås. SIDESTILT: The government wants to equate digital bingo machines with the Belago machines from Norsk Tipping. They are more like old slot machines. Photo: Hans-Kristian Rangnes / news Think it’s time – In all the surveys the University of Bergen has done for us, problem players are overrepresented in bingo games. Therefore, these players need protection, says Bjørn Leirdal of the Norwegian Lottery Authority. The researchers cannot say that it is computer bingo that creates the addiction. – This is a part of the gambling industry that has been unregulated for a long time. It is overtime to put in place a better system for the bingo halls, says Inger Lise Hansen, secretary general of Actis. Secretary General of Actis, Inger Lise Hansen. Photo: Skjalg Bøhmer Vold / Actis Actis is the drug field’s cooperation body and works to prevent and limit the harm caused by the use of alcohol, drugs and gambling. – It is important and good to get both registration and, not least, a loss limit on computer bingo in place. But we believe it is important that it is introduced across the bingo halls, so that you cannot go from bingo hall to bingo hall and start again with blank sheets, says Hansen. Afraid for the industry The loss limits will mean the door of many bingo venues across the country, believes the industry association for beneficial lottery activities (BSL). One of two trade associations for the bingo industry. – We are very worried. This will be disastrous for the industry and for grassroots Norwegian volunteering, says Karsten Aak, board member of BSL. Over 44 percent of those who play computer bingo are about to develop a gambling problem or already have one. Photo: Hans-Kristian Rangnes / news Aak is also assistant general secretary of the Norwegian Federation of the Blind. Blindeforbundet is a 25 percent owner in Bingo Holding AS, which has around 20 bingo halls around Norway. He says the bingo industry is willing to go to great lengths to take responsibility for gambling addiction. They are willing to introduce loss limits, but believe the limits proposed are far too low. – Either we have to find a compromise, or we have to increase the loss limit to the same level as Rikstoto and equestrian sport and Norsk Tipping have today, says Aak. Today, the loss limit is 20,000 a month. Assistant general secretary of the blind association, Karsten Aak. Photo: Tom Egil Jensen Big money can be lost from sport On behalf of the industry, Oslo Economics has prepared a report which states that if the loss limits are introduced as they are now proposed, it will mean a drop in turnover of up to 75 per cent. – I hope that the politicians see this threat. It is very difficult to have framework conditions for obtaining free income for Norwegian volunteering today. And if we are to continue safe jobs and income for more than 3,000 local teams and organisations, this regulation must be changed, says Aak. The government proposes that the loss limits should be introduced already from 1 January next year. Published 06.08.2024, at 15.54
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The Government will do something about it – news Buskerud – Local news, TV and radio
