How the Norwegian government is using internet providers to restrict offshore gambling

Norway has taken another major step in its long-running effort to protect its gambling model by introducing a system that allows authorities to block access to unlicensed betting and casino websites.

Instead of only targeting gambling companies directly, the Norwegian government has placed part of the responsibility on internet providers. Through a system known as DNS blocking, internet service providers can be ordered to prevent users in Norway from reaching websites that offer gambling services without a Norwegian license.

The move represents one of the strongest attempts in Europe to restrict offshore gambling access and reinforce Norway’s regulated gambling market.

How DNS blocking works

The system uses DNS — the internet’s domain name lookup system.

When a user enters a website address, DNS helps connect that domain name to the correct server. Under Norway’s blocking system, internet providers can prevent that connection from being completed for specific gambling websites.

Instead of reaching the casino or betting site, users may be redirected to an information page explaining that the website has been blocked.

The legal framework allows the Norwegian Gaming Authority (Lotteritilsynet) to order internet providers to implement DNS blocking when websites are offering gambling aimed at the Norwegian market without permission.

The rules entered into force on 1 January 2025. A major change is that internet companies are now involved in enforcing gambling regulations.

Previously, authorities mainly focused on issuing warnings to foreign operators, restricting advertising, and using financial measures to limit transactions.

The new approach adds another layer by controlling access routes.

According to Norwegian authorities, the measure is aimed at companies outside Norway’s direct jurisdiction. If offshore operators are difficult for Norwegian regulators to reach, blocking access can reduce regulators' ability to target local players.

The scale of the blocking effort

The Norwegian Gaming Authority has reported that hundreds of gambling-related websites have been blocked since the system was introduced. The authority has stated that many blocked websites were connected to operators offering gambling services without permission in Norway.

The government has also expanded its focus beyond traditional casino and betting sites, including some forms of online betting involving virtual items and gaming-related currencies when they are considered gambling targeted at Norway.

However, offshore operators still remain attractive

Despite restrictions, offshore casinos and betting sites continue to attract interest from some Norwegian players. According to affiliate websites targeting Norwegian users, interest in international betting sites has not decreased since the DNS blocking came into force.

Common reasons include:

• larger bonus offers,
• more game variety,
• access to international brands,
• alternative payment methods,
• And fewer restrictions compared with Norway’s regulated options.

This creates a challenge for regulators: blocking access may reduce visibility, but demand for international gambling products remains.

The blocking system has supporters and critics. Supporters argue that reducing access makes it harder for unlicensed operators to reach vulnerable players and strengthens consumer protection. Critics question whether technical blocking alone can fully solve the problem, as determined users may seek alternative ways to access websites or take different online routes.

There are also broader discussions about how far governments should go in controlling internet access, especially when balancing gambling regulation with principles of openness and digital freedom.

Norway’s approach shows a broader European trend: governments are increasingly looking beyond traditional regulation and using technology to enforce gambling rules.

For operators targeting Norwegian players, the message is clear: the market is becoming more difficult to access without local approval.

For players, the change means the online gambling landscape in Norway is becoming more controlled, with authorities using the internet infrastructure itself as a tool in the fight against unlicensed betting.

The long-term question is whether blocking will significantly change player behavior or simply push the offshore market into new forms.