Norway threatens to crackdown on skin betting

Norwegian Gaming Authority (NGA) has pledged to start controlling and sanctioning operators who offer skin betting services. Skin betting is a method of wagering a game’s purchasable add-ons, primarily virtual weapons, on the outcome of the game itself.

Following the UK Gambling Commission’s example, the NGA will begin to crackdown on unauthorised skin betting operators of video games and casino platforms.

According to the current law, skin betting is part of gambling and must be regulated by a governing body. Currently, Norway does not have a specific regulation on the issue, so the NGA is not able to deliver legal licenses for interested operators. The market is purely controlled by the state.

A representative of the NGA states: “Skins can normally not be exchanged for cash, but it is possible to take the skins out of the game and of other markets for buying and selling. There are separate online casinos where you can bet and win skins, and in such cases, skins a virtual currency that can be used for gambling. We have seen several examples of Norwegian children and young people who have spent thousands of money from this,”

“A gaming site that allows betting and pays out prizes in skins is in our view an online casino, and in Norway, only Norsk Tipping is allowed to offer online casino.”

“Stopping illegal betting has always been a priority at the Gaming Board, especially where games offer is aimed at children and young people. We will therefore examine the issues surrounding gambling with skins, and consider sanctions against operators who offer this in Norway.”