Norway’s long-standing state gambling monopoly could face renewed pressure if the opposition Progress Party returns to government, according to senior party figure Himanshu Gulati, who has again pledged support for a licensed gambling market.
Speaking at the annual Spillkonferansen gambling conference, Gulati described the introduction of a licensing system as one of the party’s top cultural policy priorities. He argued that Norway’s current gambling framework is outdated and said reform should be a key objective whenever a future change of government takes place.
The Progress Party has advocated replacing the monopoly model with a regulated licensing regime since 2021. Supporters of reform claim the existing system allows significant amounts of gambling spending to flow to offshore operators without benefiting Norwegian sports, culture or public finances.
Gulati pointed to previous deregulation efforts backed by the party, including the legalisation of cash poker and the removal of restrictions affecting professional athletes. He suggested gambling laws should be modernised in a similar way, arguing that some current rules no longer reflect reality.
Norway remains one of the few countries in Europe that still operates a state-controlled gambling system through operators such as Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto. While neighbouring Nordic markets including Sweden, Denmark and Finland have moved toward licensing models, Norwegian authorities continue to defend the monopoly as the best way to protect consumers and fund public-interest causes.
The debate has intensified in recent years following a series of operational errors and regulatory issues involving Norsk Tipping, which critics say have weakened confidence in the monopoly model. Opposition politicians and industry groups have increasingly pointed to these incidents as evidence that a licensed market should be considered.
Despite the Progress Party’s growing support, Norway’s Labour Party remains in government after winning the 2025 general election. Labour continues to back the monopoly framework, meaning any major regulatory change is unlikely in the immediate future. However, with the Progress Party now holding 48 parliamentary seats and remaining one of the country’s largest political forces, the issue is expected to stay high on the political agenda.