The Norwegian Gaming Authority's government restrictions have changed the list of available payment systems in Norwegian online casinos. Popular methods such as bank transfers or PayPal are no longer accepted. This triggered the need to find safe and fast alternatives for online gambling. We have thoroughly researched the relevant information regarding popular payment systems in Norway and will share it below.
The Legal Landscape of Gambling in Norway
The legislative framework that regulates the gambling business in Norway differs in strict rules compared to other countries. The World Bank reports that Norway has a 98% internet penetration rate, which allows extensive access to online gambling sites in spite of the stringent laws. Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto are monopolies that exclusively offer casino and sports betting services. Foreign gambling operators are not allowed to sell or even advertise these kinds of games.
The main legislative framework that governs internet casinos in Norway is comprised of the Gaming Scheme Act and the Lottery Act. Gambling is not permitted in Norway for anyone under the age of 18. Norway has been promoting a payment-blocking policy since 2010 to stop unlicensed overseas operators from providing services. Statista estimates that approximately 35% of Norwegians violate local limitations by gambling on international websites. More measures were implemented in 2023, forcing Norwegian banks to halt transactions between local and international online casinos without licenses.
Statistics and Key Facts
To better understand the situation in the gambling field, we consulted with toppcasinonorge.com, which specializes in the Norwegian market, and are presenting some statistical data that we managed to collect.
- The gambling market in Norway has grown to a size of over €600 million
- 40% of casino visitors say they have trouble making deposits using conventional means
- 20% of players prefer prepaid cards
- By the end of 2024, the percentage of users in the online gambling sector will reach 12.7%
- As of the last statistics in 2019, there were 55000 problem gamblers in the country
Current Payment Restrictions
The rapid growth of restrictions started in 2017. Security is the reason why limitations are introduced, and payment systems are withdrawn from use. The Norwegian government provides control over the business through Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto. According to local regulations, Norsk Rikstoto provides horse race betting, and Norsk Tipping is the only authorized supplier of commercial casino games. Foreign online casinos that don‘t belong to these two organizations aren’t permitted to conduct business or even advertise their services in the country. To prevent offshore casinos from entering the local scene, Norwegian banks don’t have the right to transfer the personal funds of users to online casino accounts directly. Therefore, most sites involve third-party providers, such as e-wallets Mifinity, Jeton, eZeeWallet or Flykk.
What Payment Methods Are Accepted in Online Casinos in Norway?
You may notice that certain payment methods that function properly in other European countries aren’t accepted for Norway casino payments. Consider the requirement for a Norwegian credit card from certain gaming businesses. Credit cards are accepted in almost 90% of online casinos. They can be used for deposits and withdrawals, but some sites may charge an additional transaction fee of 1% to 3%. Since this is the most common payment system, casino sites resolve any issues related to transactions instantly. However, as mentioned above, if you play in foreign online casinos, the bank will block your credit card payment. One of the simplest solutions would be to create a new Norwegian gaming account. Yet, this would lead to problems for the casinos' welcome bonus deals.
Below is an overview of payment methods that can be used in Norway without any restrictions.
Payment method | Type | Accepted for deposits | Accepted for withdrawals | Deposit speed | Withdrawal speed | Transaction fees |
Astropay | Prepaid card | Yes | No | Instant | Not accepted | No deposit fees |
Neosurf | Prepaid card | Yes | No | Instant | Not accepted | No deposit fees |
eZeeWallet | Electronic wallet | Yes | Yes | Instant | 1-2 working days | No fees for system users, but there may be any depending on the casino |
MiFinity | Electronic wallet | Yes | Yes | Instant | 1-2 working days | There are 1% to 4% transaction fees |
Flexepin | Prepaid voucher | Yes | No | Instant | Not accepted | No deposit fees |
Flykk | Electronic wallet | Yes | Yes | Instant | 1-2 working days | No fees for system users, but there may be any depending on the casino |
Jeton | Electronic wallet | Yes | Yes | Instant | 1-2 working days | Withdrawal fees are possible according to the casino’s policies |
Paygoo | Prepaid card | Yes | No | Instant | Not accepted | No deposit fees |
Zimpler | Mobile payment system | Yes | No | Instant | Not accepted | No deposit fees |
Cryptocurrency | Digital currency | Yes | Yes | Instant | Up to 2 hours | Typically, no fees, but there may occur some charges depending on your blockchain network |
Conclusion
The Norwegian gambling market is famous for its strict rules governing which casino operators can operate in the country. Only brands belonging to the two organizations, Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto, can offer gambling services in Norway. Due to security issues, the government is introducing regulations designed to limit payments to foreign casino sites. If, for example, it was once allowed to pay directly by bank transfer, now casino sites work through intermediaries. The most popular and widespread methods are e-wallets, e.g. Jeton or Mifinity, cryptocurrency, as well as prepaid vouchers such as Astropay or Neosurf. If you have doubts regarding eligible payment systems, refer to the general rules or contact the support service on the website.