Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto, which control Norway’s online gambling market, have reduced their marketing spend in compliance with a request from the country’s gambling regulator, Lottstift. The two state-owned operators have cut the amount spent on marketing by up to 20%, as per an order issued by Lottstift back in July.
Lottery operator Norsk Tipping, which also holds a monopoly on sports betting, has implemented a 20% reduction in its marketing expenses, translating to at least NOK 45 million (€5 million). Rikstoto, which offers horse racing wagering, also cut its marketing spend by 5.2%, equivalent to NOK 3.4 million (€288,000).
Lottstift Director Atle Hamar has confirmed that both operators have complied with the order which is primarily aimed at addressing problem gambling. The regulator ordered the two gambling providers to cut their marketing expenses following a gambling ads dispute between the Norwegian Media Authority (Medietilsynet) and Discovery Europe.
Norway Gets Tough on Gambling Ads
Discovery previously ran advertisements for foreign gambling providers on its pan-European channels which are accessible to Norwegian customers.
This prompted Medietilsynet to order local TV platforms to end their broadcasts of Discovery channels, and while the order was initially questioned by the affected parties, Discovery eventually agreed to stop broadcasting gambling ads to Norwegian audiences, in accordance with Norway’s Broadcasting Act.
Lottstift then declared that Norsk Tipping and Rikstoto should reduce their marketing spend as they no longer face competition as far as marketing is concerned.
