– It is news that we received with shock and which will have a big impact on many people, says president of the Norwegian Poker Association, Tobias Jelsa Leknes to news. Earlier this week, the news spread in the environment that “PokerStars” is withdrawing from the Norwegian market on 26 October. Sida is known as the largest website in the world for poker games and has tournaments both online and in various locations around the world. CONCERN PRESIDENT: Tobias Jelsa Leknes is the second winningest player of all time, in what is considered to be the most prestigious online tournament series. – If I am to be able to compete further, I will be forced to move abroad, he says. Photo: Private – I have had an incredible number of inquiries. There are many who are very uncertain about what will happen in the future. Many people have different questions. Many Norwegians have a lot of money on this side, says Leknes. Norwegian banks are not allowed to transfer money to and from gambling companies that operate illegally in Norway, and only Norsk Tipping is allowed to offer Norwegians casino games and odds games online. – How much money can be “lost” for Norwegian players here? – I can’t give you a good estimate. I personally have quite a large sum in there. I know that many of my colleagues and friends also have a lot of money. It is not necessarily the case that it will be lost, but it is a difficult process to get it out, answers Leknes. He strongly disagrees with the Norwegian gambling policy, and wants changes, but highlights challenges other than potential financial losses. – There are many people who now have to consider whether they want to move abroad in order to continue making a living from poker or continue with their hobby, Leknes believes. Rules for poker in Norway In Norway, poker is considered a game with completely or partially random results. Poker games with stakes and prizes of financial value meet the conditions in the gambling definition, and are thus a gambling game that is covered by the Gambling Act cf. § 2. It is permitted to arrange poker with stakes and prizes of financial value within certain limits in the Gambling Act and the Gambling Regulations. It is illegal to market gambling without the necessary permission. There are no players who have permission to offer poker with stakes and prizes of financial value online in Norway. From 2023, NM in tournament poker was allowed under special conditions. It is permitted to arrange poker games without stakes and/or prizes of financial value, as this falls outside the definition of gambling and gambling legislation. Source: Lotteries and Foundations Authority – I’m pissed The poker president points out that “PokerStars” is a professional and experienced operator and is concerned that the decision may lead to a switch to gambling by less serious gambling operators. Kjersti Antonsen has herself participated in a number of National Championships and is what she calls a hobbyist. HOBBY PLAYER: Kjersti Antonsen is dissatisfied with the poker offer. Photo: Private – That means it will be more difficult for me. I think it’s a shame, and I’m pissed off. The gaming policy is backward, because we are in 2023, states Antonsen, and points out that poker is a game of skill and is not based on luck. – It is also educational and incredibly social, and the Norwegian authorities make the players almost feel like criminals in Norway because they want to practice their sport. Poker is legal in most countries in the world. In Norway, fortunately, we have finally been allowed to play poker NM once a year, but practicing poker – that should not be allowed. He who can understand it, adds ho. Kayhan Mokri makes a living from being a poker player, and recently won 9 million in the European Poker Tour. – It is of course very sad, too much of the income source, on which I also pay tax – it disappears, he says. POKER PLAYER: Kayhan Mokri. Photo: PRIVATE Mokri believes that “PokerStars” is one of the most serious players, and does not understand the thinking behind the decision that they must leave Norway. He believes that it will not stop people from playing. – The consequence of this will not necessarily be that people stop gambling, but rather resort to other suppliers who then rather offer gambling on credit and in secret and far from being regulated in any way, he believes. The Norwegian Lottery and Foundations Authority will not comment on whether they have had a direct dialogue with “PokerStars”, but states that they are one of several companies that offer gambling in Norway without a license that have now decided to withdraw voluntarily from the Norwegian market. – We are positive about that, says acting department director for gambling in the Norwegian Lottery Authority, Tore Bell. Debate wanted Last week there was the NM in poker at Gardermoen, with 3436 participants during the week. It is also the only legal poker offer in Norway. – We will definitely send questions both to the Minister of Culture and contact the Swedish Lottery Authority. So we hope that this can raise a debate about what kind of conditions we should have for poker players in Norway. It is a mind sport that is popular and there are many Norwegians who have this as a hobby, and also as a way of life, says the poker president. POKER PRO: Espen Uhlen Jørstad ran away with NOK 100 million when he won the World Championship of Poker last year. Now it may become more difficult for Norwegians to qualify for major tournaments, fears the Norwegian Poker Association. Photo: AP Leknes explains that there are various solutions for Norwegian players to get their money paid out from “PokerStars”, but that right now there is great uncertainty. – I am perhaps most concerned about the many hobby players out there who do not have a contact network and knowledge of alternative ways to get money. This affects so many people, Leknes believes. – It is clear that this has consequences. I have money on “PokerStars”. It is money I will not realize. I only have small things, and it’s money I can do without, says Antonsen. The Norwegian Lottery Authority informs that they cannot help players who play with companies that offer gambling illegally in Norway. – Money that goes to and from gaming companies without a license in Norway has a great risk of being stopped by the ban on payment processing. The ban is being enforced by the banks and is becoming increasingly effective, comments Bell.
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Norwegians fear millions will be lost when poker website disappears – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
