Norwegian iGaming regulator, Lotteritilsynet, is reporting an increase in the number of banks in Norway that have a system in place to report customers found to have transactions with unlicensed gambling operators.
The number of banks with a reporting system has gone up from six in ten to eight in ten since the last study took place in 2020, according to a recent study by Sentio on behalf of the Lotteritilsynet. The study also revealed that almost seven out of ten banks had a practice of informing their customers of the consequences of gambling on unlicensed sites. Still, only one in four offered general information about harmful gambling. Additionally, two of three banks told the report that gambling problems were low on their list of priorities or a topic when considering customers for a loan.
Lotteritilsynet lawyer Silje Sægrov Amble said: “Our experience is that customers change their playing patterns when the banks see them and inform them. Either they stop playing altogether or they stick to legal gambling sites under public control.
“We believe that problem gambling should become part of the compulsory training in the bank, and we are happy to help with information. Problems with gambling are a public health problem, and the banks can contribute to helping people who have these problems.”
