Progress Party Vows to End Norway Gambling Monopoly

Norway’s gambling monopoly could be facing its biggest political test in years. At the Spillkonferansen conference this week, Progress Party politician Himanshu Gulati restated his party’s long-held position. He said the Norway gambling monopoly should give way to a licensing model. This, he argued, would become the party’s top cultural priority the moment there is a change of government.

A Long-Standing Priority

Gulati told delegates this is not a new idea for his party. He has argued internally for years that licensing reform must come first on culture policy. The party first called for an end to the gambling monopoly back in 2021. That position has not shifted since.

Other party figures have echoed the message. MP Silje Hjemdal argued last year that Norway needs better regulation. She noted that large sums of money leave Norway every year, never returning to Norwegian sport or culture.

The numbers give the argument some political weight. After September’s election, Labour remains the largest party with 53 seats and 28.2% of the vote. The Progress Party made solid gains too, taking 48 seats on 24% of the vote. That result puts it firmly in second place, within reach of a future coalition government.

Looking to Past Reforms for Precedent

Gulati pointed to deregulation his party pushed through earlier, as proof that change is possible. He cited the legalisation of cash poker about a decade ago. He also pointed to the lifting of rules that once barred athletes like boxer Cecilia Brækhus from competing in Norway. On top of that, he brought up the scrapping of the country’s old Segway ban, an outdated rule eventually dropped.

“Some of the current rules and restrictions are, in my opinion, contrary to all common sense,” Gulati told the conference. For him, gambling regulation belongs in the same category, a set of rules that has lagged behind reality. It’s a comparison he returns to often when discussing reform.

Norway’s Gambling Monopoly Stands Apart in Europe

Gulati argued that Norway’s gambling monopoly now looks out of step with the rest of the continent. He pointed to Finland and Albania, both of which have moved away from monopoly-based systems. Finland’s new licensed iGaming market launches in 2027, and around 50 operators have already applied for licences there.

Gulati also questioned whether the monopoly still serves its original purpose. Norsk Tipping’s revenue funds sport and voluntary groups. But Gulati asked whether that model still brings in the most money for the cause. Offshore operators continue to attract Norwegian players, and channelisation into the regulated market remains a persistent problem.

Cracks in Norsk Tipping’s Track Record

The timing of Gulati’s comments is notable, given Norsk Tipping’s recent struggles. The state operator has dealt with a technical error that led to incorrect lottery payouts. A separate issue tied to Eurojackpot exposed gaps in its internal controls, too. On top of that, reports have flagged broader concerns about the platform’s performance and user experience.

These incidents have added fuel to the wider debate. If the operator running Norway gambling monopoly cannot consistently get the basics right, that says something. Critics argue it weakens the case for leaving the system untouched. The pressure on Norsk Tipping to improve is real, and it shows no sign of easing.

A Call for Coordinated Action on Problem Gambling

Gulati was careful to separate the licensing debate from the question of problem gambling. He said politicians need not agree on regulation itself. But even those who favour an outright ban, he argued, should agree that tackling gambling harm needs a coordinated approach. Norway recently launched a four-year action plan to prevent and treat problem gambling, with a particular focus on younger people.

Match-fixing was also high on the agenda at Spillkonferansen, and Gulati voiced firm opposition to corruption in sport. He suggested that reforming the wider gambling framework could strengthen detection and deterrence in this area too. It’s another sign that this week’s conference covered far more than licensing alone.

What Comes Next

For now, gambling monopoly in Norway remains firmly in place. Any change would need a new government willing to act. But Gulati’s comments make one thing clear: licensing reform is not a fringe idea inside the Progress Party.

The party sits in second place in parliament, and Norsk Tipping faces fresh scrutiny over its performance. Together, those two factors keep the pressure for reform building. The debate over how Norway regulates online gambling looks far from over.