Norway Follows UIGEA Lead With Online Gambling And Poker Ban

Even though the United States government has received criticism abroad from their ill advised Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, they still are a model for other countries. Norway has decided to follow down the same path.

Earlier this week lawmakers in Norway accomplished even a greater injustice than that of the UIGEA. The lawmakers approved a proposal to basically ban Internet gambling in the country.

Opponents of the new legislation claim that Norway is passing the ban to ensure the safety of the monopoly of Norske Tipping. Norske is a state run gambling operation, and Internet gambling would have interfered with profits for Norske.

Like in the United States, criticism has already begun regarding the new laws, which can go into effect no sooner than the middle of next year. The European Commission is one of the groups that is against the new laws.

If the laws are passed next year, the European Court of Justice would most likely end up with the final say on the Bill. The one mistake Norway must avoid is writing the Bill up similar to the UIGEA.

Lawmakers in the U.S. have been struggling to define for two years exactly what is illegal Internet gambling. If Norway is going to succeed with their laws, they must start with a clear definition of illegal online gambling activity.

December 12, 2008
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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