European Free Trade Association Slams Norway's Online Casino Ban

Norway is told its proposed online casino payment processing ban is in violation of EFTA regulations regarding free movement of gambling services within member nations.

The Surveillance Authority of the European Free Trade Association has informed Norwegian officials that a plan to implement a blocking of payments to online casinos similar to the US's UIGEA breaks free trade rules for the Internal Market of member nations. Norway is attempting to set up a ban on payment processing to all online gambling sites, with only state gambling monopolies exempted.

The EFTA has four member nations, including Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The organization is responsible for maintaining the group's free trade and partnership agreements, as well as joining the members under the European Economic Area Agreement with the European Union to create a single Internal Market.

The EEA provides for the free movement of goods, services, and capital throughout the EU and EFTA. Gambling is among the services specifically included in the free trade deal.

The Surveillance Authority has told Norway the blocking of financial transactions to and from operators legally established within the Internal Market is a violation of EFTA regulations. Norwegian authorities have been told if they continue with the planned August implementation, they may face infringement procedures before the EFTA courts.

An argument that the government is attempting to protect consumers can be made, but seems defeated by the aggressive recruitment and marketing campaigns run by the Norwegian gambling monopolies.

"The Norwegian authorities appear to be more motivated by the need to protect revenues from gambling, but this is not a valid justification to restrict the internal market rules," commented Clive Hawkswood, CEO of the Remote Gaming Association.