Norwegian Gaming Authority considers sanctioning a subsidiary of Kindred Group

 Given this announcement, the Kindred Group has issued a press release in which it explains the situation in detail and reiterates that, amongst several other stakeholders, it is in the front line fighting and working in favor of a long-awaited transparent and non-discriminatory Norwegian licensing system, equivalent to those in Denmark and Sweden.

Kindred has reported that Trannel is regulated and licensed in Malta and offers online gambling services that are accessible to customers over the world. Currently, only the state-owned company Norsk Tipping and the private trust Norsk Rikstoto offer and market gambling under the Norwegian Gambling Act.

In this regard, the group insists that it is not illegal for Norwegian customers to accept and participate in cross-border services, like Trannel's.

Furthermore, in failing to organize a transparent licensing regime and conducting a truly consistent gambling policy, we feel that the fundamental freedoms within EEA-law (European Economic Area) are systematically being violated by Norway.

Kindred has recalled that, in 2019, the NGA issued an order essentially asking Trannel to stop allowing Norwegians to use its services. This order has been appealed by Trannel and the appeal is currently being considered by the Norwegian courts.

The notice now issued by the NGA states that the NGA is now considering ordering Trannel to pay a fine unless Trannel complies with the order issued in 2019. Therefore, there is still no decision to actually order Trannel to pay any penalty fee.

Rolf Sims, Public Affairs Manager of Kindred Norway, has emphasized that Trannel opposes the notification issued by the Norwegian authorities, considering that, in the same way that it is not illegal for Norwegians to shop with eBay or Amazon, it is not illegal for Norwegians to participate in cross-border services, including lawful, regulated entertainment-based gambling.

Considering this, Kindred says that the bigger issue is the flagrant incompatibility of the Norwegian regime with the fundamental principles of and established case law pursuant to EEA law and the legal consequences attached thereto. The lack of a transparent and objective licensing regime and the inconsistencies of the current regime disregard what should be the core policy focus, protecting local consumers.

Thus, the group says that ensuring compliance with national and international laws contributes to a sustainable society. This also extends to Norway. For this reason, a thorough judicial review of the legality of the order issued in 2019 and of the gambling monopoly will be beneficial to Norwegian society, consumers and vulnerable gamers.