The Norwegian Gambling and Foundation Authority carries out oversight and performs its supervisory role through ensuring that the exclusive rights holders Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto, as well as private gambling operators, adhere to applicable regulations. In addition, the Authority processes applications for permits submitted by organisations and associations wishing to offer gambling activities.

The Norwegian Gambling and Foundation Authority is also the supervisory body for the Grassroots scheme, and ensures gambling industry compliance with anti-money laundering regulations. 

One of the Authority’s key tasks is to prevent any negative impact of gambling activities offered in Norway, and to maintain safeguards for problem gamblers. In addition, the Authority is tasked with ensuring that the income from gambling is channelled to good causes.

The Norwegian Gambling and Foundation Authority also holds other responsibilities that are not related to gambling policy, such as supervision and oversight of foundations as per the Foundations Act and the administration of the VAT compensation scheme for voluntary organisations and associations and VAT reimbursement for sports facilities.

Gambling addiction

Gambling addiction can be defined as a disorder involving frequent and repeated episodes of gambling that dominate a person’s life to the extent that social, professional, material and family relations suffer. One of the main purposes of the Norwegian Gambling Act is to protect young people and other vulnerable individuals from being exploited through gambling or developing gambling addiction.  

The Government has also adopted an action plan for the prevention and reduction of gambling related harm 2026-2029, which is the seventh national plan since 2005. 

The main objectives of the action plan are:

  1. To minimize the number of people experiencing gambling-related harm 
  2. To ensure early identification and high-quality treatment of problematic gambling behaviour 
  3. To increase and share knowledge about gambling and gambling-related problems 

Population survey

The Norwegian Gambling and Foundation Authority carries out population surveys at regular intervals in relation to gambling-related issues. Results of the most recent survey were published in 2023: 

Do you  gamble too much, or do you know somebody who does?

The Norwegian Gambling and Foundation Authority works in partnership with the Blue Cross Norway to deliver a helpline for people with gambling problems.