Online gambling: What is the difference between the US and Norway?
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Every country has a different view on online gambling and regulates activity in different ways. In some parts of the world, all gambling activities are prohibited, some only allow land-based casinos and sportsbooks, and some countries allow and regulate all forms of gambling.
Generally speaking, it’s difficult to prevent people from finding this form of entertainment, even if it’s fully banned. This is such a popular hobby, and those who want to gamble always find the way. By regulating it you give people access to safe and secure gaming options. Here we will compare Norway and the US, as both countries regulate gambling in different ways. We will explore the pros and cons of each approach to see which one is better.
The US is a bit different, as it consists of 50 states. Each state has the autonomy to regulate gambling how they see fit. Norway on the other hand, is another interesting country.
In Norway, gambling has been legal for over a century, but the official Gaming Scheme Act was passed in 1992. However, the Norwegian government holds a monopoly on this industry, and they have been urged to adopt a different approach like Sweden and Finland.
Still, anyone who wants to play in an online casino can do so. Players can access sites that are managed by foreign companies, and they often do so because these operators offer better content. Anyone who is looking for a reputable Norway casino online can consult toppcasinonorge.com and their reviews. Here you can find some of the top casinos in Norway, learn about available games, and their sportsbook section. You can also search sites based on specific promotions or their banking options.
It’s also worth pointing out that land-based casino gambling is very limited in Norway. So, if you don’t live in one of the major cities a mobile casino Norway operator is the only option you have. Since there is no real competition in the local market, foreign operators are the ones with superior content.
Compared to the online casino Norwegian market the US gambling scene is a bit different. When we talk about online gambling specifically, we need to recognize 3 main categories.
- Online casino games
- Online sports betting
- Fantasy sports
Each of these has a different category in legislation. Fantasy sports for example are only illegal in a few states. The only exceptions are Washington, Montana, Idaho, Hawaii, and Nevada. Online sports betting is legal in over 20 states, and it’s in the process of legalization in Nebraska, Maine and Vermont. Both daily fantasy sports and betting are very popular and profitable in the US, generating over 549 billion USD.
Playing online casino games is currently legal in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, West Virginia, and Delaware and it will go live in Rhode Island in 2024. The reason why other states aren’t too keen on allowing online casinos is the fear of negative impact on land-based gambling. However, data suggests that places where online gambling is legal can also boost the performance of the land-based sector because it’s more accessible, more people give it a try and end up liking it.
There are many offshore operators that accept players from both the US and Norway. What’s more, the sites are fully optimized for these markets. They allow players to use local currency, and customer support is available in their native language. It’s not illegal to gamble on those sites, but they aren’t regulated locally, which means they aren’t contributing to the local economy. Furthermore, you still have to pay taxes on winning at these sites, and payout times are longer.
It’s also possible to find an online casino Norway or US citizens can access that accepts cryptocurrencies. These transactions wouldn’t go through a legacy banking system which means payment processing would be faster.
In essence, if there is a high demand for this form of entertainment it should be made legal. Players will find a way to access it either way. The only problem is that the economy won’t benefit from it and that players are taking more risks if they gamble on unregulated sites. It’s possible to see new casino Norway sites and companies in the future, considering how neighboring countries are using a different model. Additionally, there are many software developer companies in Norway, so changing the law could have a positive impact on this sector as well.
