Right2bet

As of today it is now illegal for banks to deposit any money from a customer onto an EU-licensed betting site, so long as they are not based in Norway and don't have the right licence.

Even worse for Norway's punters is that they won't be able to get any winnings returned, as that also requires the processing of a payment.

There now remain just two betting operators with whom Norway's five million citizens can bet, the two state-run monopolies, Norsk Tipping and Rikstoto.  Did I hear someone say protectionist?

But wait, I hear you cry, Norway is not in the European Union, so what does right2bet have to do with it?  It is true that Norway isn't a full-flung member of the EU, but the country is part of the EEA (European Economic Area) and as part of they are bound by certain economic legislation.  These protectionist measures implemented today, to the detriment of the country's consumers, fly in the face of fundamental EEA rules by limiting the market in such an anachronistic manner.

The most laughable aspect of this new legislation was pointed out to us by a right2bet member, who posted a comment on the right2bet blog.  He said:

"The worst part is that we - as Norwegians travelling in the Schengen area - supposedly the free market of trade and labour, cannot use our own credit cards issued by our bank to pay at a casino in i.e. Monaco!! Did someone say "Free will"? Didn't think so... The Norwegian system is built on protectionism. It's a disgrace!"

To clarify, what the Norwegian Government have done is not only stop their citizens using whichever licensed and legal operator they choose when within the borders of Norway itself, and in the privacy of their own homes, but they have stopped them from betting anywhere in the world.  So if you have a holiday booked to Las Vegas or Monaco it will be cash only or nothing at all.

What a shocking state of affairs this is.  Never before have we seen such turgid state intervention in this area.  We strongly encourage all Norwegians out there to sign our petition at www.right2bet.net and add their voice to the calls for more to be done at an EU level to end this sort of meddling in our everyday lives.

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