Record funding to tackle problem gambling in Norway

The Norwegian government is allocating record funds for research, prevention and treatment as part of the Action Plan against gambling problems for 2024.

The Ministry of Culture and Equality announced on Friday that NOK32m (£2.43m) will be allocated, with research into and knowledge of gambling harms the key focus.

The measures have been financed through monopoly operator Norsk Tipping and are being topped up by contributions from the Lotteries and Foundations Authority, the Media Authority, the Directorate of Health and the Research Council.

Culture and Equality Minister Lubna Jaffery said: “The number of Norwegians with gambling problems has halved since 2019. This shows that the government’s combined efforts are yielding results.

“The sole-law model with strict accountability tools such as maximum loss limits, advertising bans against foreign gambling companies, payment intermediary bans, increased knowledge and prevention and good treatment at an early stage, together help to reduce the number of people who develop gambling problems.

“This award will help to continue the good development.”

The Action Plan for the period 2022-2025 looks to bring down the number of people with gambling problems and increase knowledge and the sharing of knowledge of gambling and gambling problems.

It also looks to identify early and give suitable treatment to those suffering from problem gambling.