Online Poker Could Be Coming To An End In Norway

Online poker is thriving even with the United States Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act hindering the industry by making it difficult for Americans to play online.

Norway is fresh off of having one of their own, Annette Obrestad, win the World Series of Poker Europe main event, as well as four other Scandinavians play at the final table.

Those finishes apparently did not impress the Norwegian Culture Minister, Trond Giske, who is reported to be thinking about passing a similar bill as to the U.S. UIGEA.

The crutch that he is hiding behind is that he feels that there is a huge risk associated with online poker for problem gamblers.

Problem is, there is no evidence anywhere that the online poker or casinos shows any increase in problem gambling. Giske, like many politicians is using the problem gambling card to try and pass legislation.

Norway already has laws in place making gambling illegal, but this bill, like in America, would make it illegal to process transactions between online gaming operators and local banks. Norwegian IP addresses would also be blocked from being able to access any online gambling sites.

Norway"s players have risen to the top of the poker universe, but this ban could keep them from further advancement on a global stage.

September 30, 2007
Posted By Larry Rutherford
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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