Even though it is generally known that the Norwegian government takes a dim view of online gambling, Norwegian citizens certainly do not share in this as statistics from the Norwegian Gambling Commission suggest.

According to the entertainment publication, ISA-guide, figures recently released by the Norwegian Gambling Commission indicate that in 2007, the online gaming market in Norway grew by 6.1 percent. Furthermore, the number of those gambling online from Norway was recorded as being about 244,000.

According to the information reported by the Norwegian Gambling Commission, Norwegians spent about Euro 961 million online in 2007, 82.9 percent of which, or Euro 797 million,  went to foreign operators, and Norsk Tipping, Norsk Rikstoto accounting for an  additional USD 258 million.

The research is based on a representative sample consisting of 10,000 Norwegians ranging between the ages of 16 and 74. The study found that 12 percent of Norwegian adult men have gambled online during 2007, as opposed to only 2 percent of the female population. Of those adults who indicate that they gamble online, 9 percent reported gambling online via mobile phones.

Forty-eight percent of those interviewed indicated that the Norwegian Lotto was the preferred online game, followed by 28 percent who indicated online Poker, with  sports betting coming in at 27 percent and casino games at 7 percent.

In terms of the most favored sites visited, 21 percent indicated Unibet as their preferred online gaming site. This was followed by Betsson with 14 percent, Expekt with 11 percent, and finally NordicBet with 10 percent.

Of those calls received by the gambling addiction helpline during 2007, 52 percent of were related to poker.

Posted on: August 5, 2008

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