Apple Pulls Unlicensed Gambling Apps From Noway App Store

This week it was revealed that computer group Apple agreed to pull unlicensed gambling apps from the country's App Store, restricting access to software not licensed by the country's gaming regulator.

The Norwegian Gaming Authority requested that Apple pull offending apps from the App Store, as there were a slew of companies offering apps in the country, this despite not having a license. Currently, only two companies, Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto are sanctioned to offer online betting in the country. After reviewing the letter, Apple agreed to the request and yanked all offshore apps.

The move is being lauded by the NGA as a method to protect gamblers from addiction, although its likely also a way to keep some of the money wagered on offshore platforms in-country. International groups haul in millions of dollars in unsanctioned bets in the jurisdiction each year, and the regulator has been looking for ways to stem this, even going so far as passing laws limiting advertisement of offshore services in the country.

Speaking to iGamingBusiness, NGA Senior Advisor Frank Hoff Hana said, "Gambling addiction is serious and do often cause people to lose more money than they can afford to lose. The Norwegian Gaming Authority works to prevent gambling addiction and their negative consequences, such as financial and social problem."