A new gambling law which upsets the whole Norwegian poker community has just been passed into law by the government of Norway. The new law will make it illegal for banks in Norway to process transactions to casinos and poker/casino/betting sites outside Norway.
How they will stop people from using Neteller, MoneyBookers and other e-wallets - we will just have to wait and see. The new law will com[...] Read more » The new gambling law which upsets the whole Norwegian poker community
Joined: Dec '08
Location: Netherlands
Age: 64 (M)
Posts: 735
Its ridiculous that governments make online poker/gambling bank-transactions illegal. They better find ways to get their share of the profits instead, by taxing the high-profit players in an honest way.
Joined: Jan '10
Location: Finland
Age: 54 (M)
Posts: 41
I am not afraid that the legislators in my country would do that kind of a thing in near future. They are trying to stop gaming companies from advertising and at the same time a licenced monopoly slot machine company (RAY) are starting internet poker for people living in Finland. Top poker players like Ilari Sahamies pay tax from some of their winnings (FTP) so it would not make sense to drive players out of the country. Of course, some people may move abroad anyway but there are many reasons for that like weather, closeness to live casinos, etc in addition to tax laws and gaming legislation. Our countrymen and -women haven't done very well at Winter Games this time so let us concentrate on poker and motor sports.
Joined: Feb '10
Location: Hungary
Age: 42 (M)
Posts: 98
Well it's a little bit strange. E-wallets can't be illegal for someone. So this law is only uncomfortable but not a real problem. As i see. What about my country? They are trying to get some of our internet poker money, but they efforts are hopeless. yet...
Joined: Jan '10
Location: Moldova, Republic of
Age: 50 (M)
Posts: 239
Strange decision, anyway they will dont stop players play poker, will be only more difficult to have money in the pocket and doubt they will can stop or make ilegal E-walets.
Joined: Oct '07
Location: Philippines
Age: 41 (M)
Posts: 1443
This will affect players however, there are always the e-wallets to use to make deposits. if you ask this is just another way of making sure that monopoly works.
Joined: Oct '09
Location: Spain
Age: 60 (M)
Posts: 2851
Sounds pretty harsh, just wondering about the Neteller etc. thing, is that possible? In Belgium they are planning some big law changes as well, we don't know what yet exactly...
Joined: Apr '09
Location: Portugal
Age: 44 (M)
Posts: 4827
They dont stop people to use online payment systems, but they can stop banks to transfer there, to some of those sites. Those who have agreements with gaming sites, like moneybookers. But you can always open acounts in foreign banks and do your transfers through those banks!
Now in moneybookers is also something about transfering money for gambling. Do you know what happen if you mark "transfer for gambling"? Is it illegal or just we need to pay some tax?
Joined: Jan '10
Location: Germany
Age: 32 (M)
Posts: 1379
First thing i thought about reading few sentences were "ok, moneybookers will do" Than i saw its already mantioned in the article
I dont think they can controll it anyway what happens with moneybookers etc. What they would need to do would be forbid the Net in Norway. If they dont it will get harder, never impossible.
Joined: Jan '08
Location: Croatia
Age: 47 (M)
Posts: 1308
Government is not making poker illegal, just dont want some off shore companies taking money out of its residents pockets. Register casino in Norway and its perfectly legal, from what I read.
Joined: Oct '09
Location: Belgium
Age: 38 (M)
Posts: 14
well you can bypass the law with neteller,..., so no problem there, in Belgium they are trying to pass a law to tax poker profits.... thats really f..... up! gready government pigs :s
Joined: Oct '09
Location: Lithuania
Age: 43 (M)
Posts: 2805
ohh they kill all poker likers and they must play not real money but just play only for chips and that just kill them all because they start just stop playing and try find some new for relax
hope they cant stop people play poker for real money
Online poker/gambling sites are todays version of prohibition of the 30's. These laws are infringing on people's rights and should be fought on that basis.
Joined: Feb '10
Location: Finland
Age: 38 (M)
Posts: 1248
Ridiculous . As much as I know, most players use Neteller and Moneybookers anyways, and noones going to stop because of that just a little bit uncomfty. What they will achieve with that is desire for very profitable players to move abroad.