Best Norwegian casino sites

Population: 5,3 million
Active Players: 1,6 million
Currency: Norwegian Krone (NOK)
Regulated Gambling Products: online casinos, betting shops, online bookmakers, horse racing
Operator Types: Norsk Tipping (state-owned online casino) international online casinos
Designated Authority: Lotteritilsynet
Status: Fully regulated

Norway is famous around the globe for its stunning fjords, the strong Viking heritage, and other jaw-dropping landscapes, including the Aurora Borealis. The Scandinavian nation is also the wealthiest country in terms of GDP per capita according to the World Bank report. And when you mix a very high standard of living with long and dark winters you get a fertile environment for online gambling. 

Around 30% of the adult population engages in online gambling on a weekly basis and that could be the foundation for a very strong industry. However, the authorities imposed a monopoly over all forms of gambling and casino players have a very limited offer of games available. Luckily though, casino aficionados are not limited to Norwegian online casinos (casino Norge as it is locally called). In the absence of laws to prevent players from enjoying the services of international online casinos, there are plenty of options for Norse players.

Did You Know That?

• The legal gambling age in Norway is 18
• Norsk Tipping -through Kong Kasino operated by the state- is the only licensed online casino in Norway 
• There are no laws targeting players that enjoy the services of foreign online websites.
• Casino winnings are not taxed
• There are no traditional land-based casinos in Norway

Casino Sites in Norway

Similar to their Nordic neighbor Finland, the online casino environment is split between the state-owned Norsk Tipping and the international casinos that accept players from Norway. There are several differences between the two types of operators, starting with the casino bonus Norge players can enjoy, and all the way to the games and providers that are available.

Legal Casino Sites in Norway

As previously mentioned, the only legal online casino is Kong Kasino, part of the entity that also offers sports betting in the country. While the list of providers is bigger compared to other state-operated online casinos, no Microgaming games are available here. Actually, the only big software providers available to casino players at Norsk Tipping are NetEnt, Playtech IGT, and Quickspin. Also, the bonus offers are very limited and usually only consist of a bonus for your first deposit. 

International Casino Sites in Norway

If you ask  Norwegian casino players what’s the best Norske real money casino in their opinion, they’ll probably indicate the name of an international online casino. PlayoJo, RedKings, or other big names such as 32Red, or Casumo are just a few examples of top casinos accepting Norwegian players.

Apart from a much wider list of software providers and games, these casinos can also offer generous welcome bonuses to players. The ability to play over 2000 online slots and table games, together with getting rewards make the foreign operators worthy of the best Norsk online casino assigned by local players. If you choose to play at a foreign online casino, always make sure it’s licensed by a trustworthy authority such as the MGA or the UKGC. 

Welcome Bonuses and Deposit Limits

The discussion about welcome bonuses in a casino Norway is, once more, split in two different categories. On one hand, you have the likes of Kong Kasino that won’t offer any kind of incentives for new players. And on the other, there’s the list of foreign Norway casino online operators that come with big bonuses for the first deposit and other rewards as well. 

You can expect to receive match bonuses around the value of 100% on your first deposit. There are different limits to this bonus, however, most casinos will offer you at least €1000 or NOK 10,000 if not more. The minimum deposit to claim the welcome bonus is usually €10 or NOK 100, however, that can change from one operator to another.

Betting with NOK

Most foreign online casinos targeting Norway will offer NOK as currency as well. While this isn’t mandatory, the best casinos will go the extra length to make sure players are satisfied. PlayoJo is definitely one of the best international operators in Norway. Not only do they offer NOK as currency, they also have a fully-translated website and offer the possibility to login with BankID.

How to Deposit and Withdraw on Norwegian Casino Sites?

Topping up your account at an online casino is not the straightforward process you would expect. This happens because the authorities decided to place a ban on international transactions towards casino operators. This means that sadly no credit or debit card issues in the country can be used for depositing. However, if you want to make a deposit and enjoy the best casino bonus 2020 Norway casinos can offer, you still have plenty of options.

Bank Transfer

Unfortunately, unless you’re playing at the state-owned casino, you won’t be able to use any of the bank transfer deposit options for online casinos. The ban requested by the authorities that started with credit and debit cards was extended to bank transfer transactions as well. Your payments towards international casinos outside of Norway will be rejected. The same applies for withdrawals.

eWallet Options

Here’s where Norwegian players get some leeway. The ewallets remain the main payment method for Norwegian players that want to play at foreign casinos. Due to the card restrictions in place, you won’t be able to top-up your Skrill account via credit or debit card, however, you can still do so straight from your bank account or other methods. Ewallets can be used for withdrawals as well and they’re also the fastest option.

Mobile Payments

While Norway has a very powerful mobile payment infrastructure that is enjoying lots of popularity, it can’t be used for online gambling. Talks were underway to make Vipps a mobile casino payment method but the 2017 ban on international transactions towards casinos ended everything along with the frequent usage of Boku casino sites.

Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency is a great deposit and withdrawal method for Norwegian casino players since it offers full anonymity. Even though there are no legal casinos in Norway offering it, casino enthusiasts can deposit with Bitcoin or Ethereum at casinos like BitStarz or FortuneJack.

How to Create & Verify Your Account on Norwegian Casino Sites

Creating an account with the casino operated by Norsk Tipping is only possible via BankID. This method uses your bank account and personal identification number as a way to safely login and share personal information. 

However, if you want to use an international casino, the registration procedure is simple and straightforward: 

• Access the casino website and click on “Play Now” or “Sign Up” 
• In the following screens you’ll be asked to insert some personal info as well as choosing an username and password
• Most international online casinos will ask you to confirm your phone number through a code send via SMS
• Insert this code when requested to finish the registration and enjoy the games

There’s a standard KYC procedure that any licensed casino must perform on their players. The process is usually done via the website in the “Verification” menu where you will be able to upload pictures of the requested documents. You’ll most likely be asked for a photo ID, a bank statement or recent utility bill to confirm your address, and proof of payment (copies of your card, a transcript of your internet banking, etc)

What Can We Expect from Norwegian Gambling Law Changes?

Early in 2019, iGaming giants Betsson, GIG, and Kindred joined forces to convince Norwegian authorities to liberalize the market. However, the joint action didn’t change a thing. Norway is not a member of the EU so there’s really nothing pressuring the authorities to let go of the airtight monopoly on gambling. On the other hand, it looks like the moves to prevent international operators from accepting Norwegian punters are increasing in intensity. There are talks of a unified gambling law in Norway and this could be the perfect moment to impose domain bans and other restrictive practices.