Norwegian government facing lawsuit from online gambling ad ban

With Norway being one of the strictest nations on the planet when it comes to online casino gaming regulation, the levels the nation will go to protect people is almost unprecedented. From massive regulation to the immense work done to minimise online gambling advertising, there has been a lot of talk about what comes next. Well, with recent online gambling advertising bans taking place, one company is deciding to fight back.

The new unified gambling law might have been submitted to the European Commission for approval, but it’s been challenged by a local broadcaster. The legal challenge looks to combat the Norway-wide ban on online casino and gambling advertising. If the law passes, then it will come into action as of January 2021. However, Discovery Networks Norway, part of the Nordic Entertainment Group, has bit back at the government.

The lawsuit is against the state, and it is based on the idea that the ban on Norwegian-based advertising from media-based outside of Norway breaks regulation set out in the European Economic Area – a system that Norway is a part of.

Indeed, the company expects that it could cost them a much as $55.4m a year in losses. This is why the company looks set to take this further, though winning the case might be a major challenge. With Communications Director Espen Skoland saying the company has “no intention” of abiding by the law, though, a response is needed soon.