Today Norway's gaming regulator Lotteri-og stiftelsestilsynet (Lottstift) has announced that they're halting action of in-person bingo halls, instead moving the games to online-only in an effort to slow the spread of Covid-19.
The bingo games can be played online but they have to be linked to a real bingo hall, meaning that the games will resemble those that take place in a live-dealer environment. The country shut down bingo halls on March 12th, and this move is being made to allow the halls to continue trying to bring in some business. Games will have to be offered from 10am to 10pm, and players can register accounts online. Operators can only offer one game at a time.
Online-only games will run through March 29th, and a review of the situation may extend that timeframe.
The bingo halls will be able to claim grants from the Norwegian government to help regain some lost revenues from games and fees. The government has set aside NOK300 million to pay these grants.