The extension means Norway’s state-backed horse racing betting operator can continue its monopoly over betting on the nation’s equestrian sports market.

The renewal of the licence means Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto have the exclusive rights to offer games that require particular public control, with the latter noting that this is because such games have high prizes, high turnover or a high risk of creating gambling problems.

“Norsk Rikstoto shows that they take the role of exclusive rights provider seriously, and that is good,” said Minister for Culture and Equality Anette Trettebergstuen.

“Many Norwegians struggle with gambling problems, and the most important thing about gambling policy is to prevent all the negative gambling that gambling can bring. 

“The Norwegian Parliament has implemented a number of measures to reduce the risk of gambling problems and gambling addiction. At the same time, we want to ensure that sports and volunteering can still benefit from the profits from gambling.”

Established in 1982 by Det Norske Travselskap and Norsk Jockeyklub, Norwegian foundation Norsk Rikstoto has a licence from the state to operate a totaliser business within equestrian sports. The group noted that it passes profits on to organisations that promote equestrian sports, horse keeping and Norwegian horse breeding.

In August 2022, Norsk Rikstoto chose both Agillic and Tealium to systemise its customer data to personalise communications, aiming to improve the customer experience.

Through the partnerships, Norsk Rikstoto seeks to deepen personalised communication to inform customers on how to place bets and ensure responsible betting stays central to a customer’s journey.