Norway Ban In Plans

Recently there has been mention of an online gambling ban in Norway; the Ministry of Culture feels online gambling has the potential to harm their citizens and as such would like to form laws against online gambling like those in the United States.

At the Conference going on in Barcelona, the legal advisor for Norway's Ministry of Culture Rolf Sims stated that the Ministry has plans to begin drafting the new regulations that will be similar to the United States Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.

While it will be very close to the American regulations, Thomas Helgesen of the Norwegian Gaming Board's legal advisor stated that they realize this document is being drafted close to the UIGEA, but they have not seen the final rules.

The Norwegian public unhappy with this situation has begun complaints, the anti gambling groups are pleased and it is felt for any politician to be in favor of legalize gambling would end their career.

This is all being watch closely by the European Union, and while Norway is a part of the European Economic area. Some of the Countries that will be watching are France who has had recent problems with the EU and Germany who is under pressure now as well as the Netherlands.