Kindred Exits Norway’s iGaming Market

Leading online gambling operator Kindred has temporarily exited the Norwegian iGaming market.

The operator, via its Trannel subsidiary, announced that it would no longer accept bets or target gamblers in Norway.

Kindred has been offering its gambling services in Norway for a long period without a local license which defies Norway’s state monopoly on gaming. According to the state’s gambling law, only the state-controlled Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto can offer gaming.

However, Kindred’s online casino brands like Unibet, Storspiller, and Mariacasino have been offering gambling entertainment to Norway residents for real money.

Having served several notices to Kindred to stop operating in its region, the Norwegian gambling regulator Lotteritilsynet announced last week that it would start fining the operator daily.

However, with the operator’s latest announcement, Lotteritilsynet has stated that it would pause the scheduled daily fines against the operator.

We have decided to pause the compulsory fine of NOK1.2m per day as Trannel, the company behind Unibet and Mariacasino, states that it will comply with Norwegian law. The penalty can still be quickly activated if they do not meet the conditions we have given in the decision.

Henrik NordalLotteritilsynet Director

According to Kindred, its temporal exit from the Norwegian gaming industry is to show goodwill and that it remained confident in its interpretation of its legal position according to EEA law.

“Kindred is making these changes as the company seeks a constructive and transparent dialogue with Norwegian authorities and Norwegian policy stakeholders.” A statement from the gambling operator read.

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