TLDR Norway’s gambling regulator says prediction markets fall under gambling law The ruling came after a public question about Polymarket’s legality Norwegian law defines gambling by stake, prize, and chance Using prediction markets is not a crime, but offering them without a license is Parliament will debate new rules for prediction markets after the summer recess
Norway’s gambling regulator has weighed in on prediction markets for the first time. The Norwegian Gambling Authority, known as Lotteritilsynet, said these platforms count as betting under national law.
The statement came in response to a question from the public. On May 25, someone asked the regulator whether Polymarket is legal in Norway.
Lotteritilsynet answered on July 2. It said prediction markets meet all three legal conditions required for gambling in Norway.
How Norway Defines Gambling
Under Norwegian law, gambling has three parts. Players must place a stake, they can win money, and the outcome depends at least partly on chance.
The regulator said prediction markets fit this description. It does not matter if the bets are about sports, politics, or other events.
Lotteritilsynet made clear that using these platforms is not illegal for individual players. The law targets companies that offer gambling without a license.
This also applies to anyone who advertises unlicensed betting sites in Norway. That includes marketing partners, not just the platforms themselves.
Norway has one of the strictest gambling markets in Europe. Along with Iceland, it keeps a state monopoly over most betting products.
Prediction markets grew in popularity worldwide during the World Cup. Many bettors used them instead of regular sportsbooks.
How Norway Enforces the Rules
Norway blocks payments to unlicensed gambling sites through its banks. This is called the payment blocking regime.
Banks must stop transfers between customers and gambling companies without a Norwegian