- Results from the largest problem gambling survey ever conducted in Norway have been published by the Lotteries and Gaming Authority.
- The survey reported that only 4.7% of respondents had played online poker, and only 0.2% at higher betting volumes.
- Results showed that poker scored relatively low as a risk factor for problem gambling.
- In comparison with results from similar but smaller surveys, the authors determined that the latest figures showed a reduction in problem gambling.
With a score of 1.09 out of 10, poker was a long way behind riskier gambling activities such as bingo played in bingo halls (8.33), bingo played on the internet (7.14) and “Belago” (6.15).
Results from the largest problem gambling survey ever conducted in Norway have been published by the Lotteries and Gaming Authority. The study encompassed over 10,000 responses and concludes that problem gambling has reduced.
The government has plans to introduce new gaming laws that would liberalize the gaming market and explicitly legalize online poker. Those plans have been put on hold while responses are prepared to questions from the EU—Norway is not an EU member, but is a member of the European Economic Area, and complies with much EU regulation.
The results of this study will help to inform the response the government makes, and provide much data that will inform subsequent political debate.
