Norway’s Gambling Authority Issues Influencer Warnings

Norway’s Gambling Authority founded in 2001 to supervise the administration and oversight of gaming controlled by the state and private, Lottstift, has stated that it will take a zero-tolerance approach to social media platforms promoting live streams and content revolving around online gambling.

The country has imposed a total blackout on gambling advertising. According to the Broadcasting Act, operators are not allowed to use any gambling advertising to promote their services. 

The action is exclusively reserved for Norway’s state-owned monopolies Rikstoto, with a focus on racing and Norsk Tipping, which offers betting and lottery options.

The Warning Follows Lottstift’s “Serious Action” Against Schpell.com 

Schell.com, the popular platform that generates entertaining content via daily live streams, vlogs, and competitions, has recently broadcast a number of Norwegian influencers advertising online casino games, thus disregarding the current legislation. 

The streams that were deemed illegal were promoted on the schell.com portal and recorded on a series of live-streaming platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and Kick.

The respective broadcasting platforms were sent reminders regarding the country’s Broadcasting Act which does not allow gambling promotion unless it involves one of the two available monopolies. 

In accordance with its freshly granted powers by the revised Money Gambling Act, Lottstift has asked Tiergarten Marketing Ltd, Schpell.com’s operator, to cease all of its marketing activities in the country.

Two Cease-and-Desist Warnings Issued by Lottstift

The regulatory body also sent two separate cease-and-desist written notices to Baris Entertainment AS and Viken Underholdning AS for having alleged relationships with social media influencers advertising illegal gambling offers.

The infringing businesses were given until February 20 to fully comply with the issued order to stop promoting unlicensed gambling activities. 

In case they fail to comply, the companies will face possible compulsory fines and non-compliance violation fees.

More Inspections to Follow

Lottstift has also ordered social media platforms to be more careful with their Norwegian influencer content to make sure they follow the country’s current advertising regulations.

The body’s director, Monica Alisøy Kjelsnes, stated that it was obvious that the respective live streams hosting influencers were targeting a young audience while marketing the offerings of unlicensed casinos.

Kjelsnes added that Schpell employs Norwegian influencers and that “much of their marketing takes place in Norway and is aimed at Norwegian consumers.”

The director also explained that while the biggest influencers stopped promoting gambling outside the law there are still some “who are teetering on the edge of breaking the law.”

In this regard, the authority plans on further monitoring and evaluating more inspections in the future. 
Last December, Brazil advanced a similar measure against social media influencers advertising unregulated forms of gambling.