Key points:
- New age-specific loss limits target players aged 20-24, with stricter limits for younger age groups
- Research indicates young adults are particularly vulnerable to gambling problems
- The changes align with Norway's broader gambling regulation reforms, including upcoming electronic bingo restrictions
Norwegian state gambling operator Norsk Tipping has announced reductions in maximum loss limits for young players, effective 1 February 2025.
The new measures target players aged 20-24, introducing age-specific monthly loss limits of NOK 3,000 ($265) for those aged 20-21 and NOK 5,000 for those aged 22-24.
This development follows the operator's 2023 implementation of a NOK 2,000 monthly loss limit for players aged 18-20.
The decision is supported by research from the University of Bergen and data from the Norwegian Helpline for Gambling Addicts, which indicate young adults face higher risks of developing gambling problems compared to older demographics.
Also of note is Norsk Tipping's internal data which shows that one in five men between 18 and 25 are at risk of gambling-related issues. The operator cites increased financial vulnerability among young adults – exacerbated by rising living costs – as a key factor in implementing these protective measures.
Good to know: While players aged 25 and over maintain a monthly loss limit of NOK 20,000, additional restrictions apply to high-risk games such as online casinos and slot machines
Commenting on this new measure, Bjørn Helge Hoffmann, Head of Responsible Gaming at Norsk Tipping, stated: “The most important responsibility measure is that players themselves must set their own limits before they play, and on average, players set their limit to NOK 3,600 per month.
“For those who are unable to limit themselves, the maximum loss limit is an important safety net. When this limit is lowered, it will contribute to the prevention of problem gambling and it will limit the damage for those who still have problems.”
The announcement comes amid broader regulatory changes in Norway's gambling sector, including new legislation for electronic bingo loss limits scheduled for September 2025.
