Norwegian ban online gambling – in progress

A new law like UIGEA could be passed in Norway, as Reuters reports.

Rolf Sims, legal adviser to Norway’s Ministry of Culture explained that a new draft law is planned that could make processing of bet payments illegal. A collegue of his – the Norwegian Gaming Board legal adviser Thomas Helgesen explained that the Norwegian “is responding to the growing public backlash against gambling.” A decision is expected by first part of 2008.

But the Norwegian govt still supports their state-owned gambling monopoly , arising a conflict of interests with their “efforts” in combatting gamblig addiction.

This is also ironic, taking into consideration that the Norwegian Annette Obrestad won the biggest tournament in European histor and its government is talking about banning the online rooms where Annette15 earned her poker chops.