In Norway, there are 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. Now the Government has decided to introduce a loss limit of NOK 900 a day and a maximum of NOK 4,400 a month from 1 September 2025. This will be revealed in a press release on Monday. – Electronic bingo games in bingo halls and online in connection with the bingo venue have for a long time been allowed to operate without loss limits, this has come at the expense of vulnerable players and their relatives. That is why we are now putting in place more responsible frameworks around these gambling games, says Culture and Equality Minister Lubna Jaffery (Ap). 44.1 percent 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. Minister for Culture and Equality Lubna Jaffery (Ap). Photo: Kai Rune Kvitstein / news Likely large revenue loss news has previously written about the loss limits could have very large consequences for sports and voluntary organisations. Karsten Aak in BSL. Photo: Tom Egil Jensen – There are several people who have given signals that this could mean the hook on the door, Karsten Aak, board member of the Industry Association for socially beneficial lottery activities. – We believe that the measures to be introduced now are far too strict. Commissioned by the bingo industry, Oslo Economics has drawn up 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. This will in turn lead to up to NOK 170 million less for sports teams, associations and others. Vestfossen IF has previously said that they fear they will have to cut offers if the loss limits are introduced. – It is especially all-sports for young people that we use this income for. It is a low-threshold offer that is aimed at those who may fall a little outside, said Anette Hassel Solbakken, head of the Vestfossen sports association to news before the summer. Two-part rollout As a result of practical challenges documented by the industry associations, the changes are being introduced in two parts. Only from 1 January is there a requirement for all suppliers who supply gaming machines to have a registration solution in place. So from 1 September the loss limits will be introduced in every bingo hall. – We would of course have wanted everything to be in place by the turn of the year, but in this context have chosen to listen to the industry associations who have given a good description of the challenges that the changes entail, says Jaffery. COMPARISON: 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 Engagement There has been a great deal of engagement around the consultation, where the ministry received over 500 consultation inputs. – This is a grassroots rebellion. Over 500 consultation responses show just that, says Aak in BSL. Jaffery says that the Government’s gambling policy is based on the consideration of people who are in the risk zone for gambling addiction. – The exclusive rights model is built on accountability, and I therefore believe it is right to first and foremost take into account the vulnerable players here. The consequences for people with gambling problems and their relatives can be enormous, says the Minister for Culture and Equality. Published 04.11.2024, at 13.04 Updated 04.11.2024, at 13.11
ttn-69
