Listen to this article:Last month, Norway’s government announced that it is to make changes to the rules and regulations that govern electronic bingo games in Norwegian bingo halls in order to try to help people gamble more responsibly.
One of the main changes will be the introduction of loss limit controls for players; however, the changes will not be brought in all at once; instead, Norway’s culture and equality minister, Lubna Jaffery, said that they will be staggered:
“Electronic bingo games in bingo halls and online in connection with the bingo venue have for a long time been allowed to operate without loss limits. This has come at the expense of vulnerable players and their relatives. That is why we are now putting in place more responsible frameworks around these gambling games.”
The first big change will take effect from 1 January 2025 and it will require games suppliers to register if they wish to provide bingo halls with their products.
There won’t be any further changes until 1 September 2025, when each venue must give players the ability to set loss limits when they are playing electronic bingo games. Furthermore, they must ensure that players are aware that they have the ability to do so. From the same date, bingo halls will also have to register.
The new regulations were drawn up after a large-scale consultation with the industry that attracted more than 500 responses.
Jaffery explained that the government was hoping to introduce the new rules before the end of this year, but decided to delay them following feedback from the industry that they would need time to prepare the venues.
“Our gambling policy is based on the consideration of people who are in the risk zone for gambling addiction. The exclusive rights model is built on accountability and I therefore believe it is right to primarily take the vulnerable players into account here. The consequences for people with gambling problems and their relatives can be enormous.”
Whether you prefer playing at online bingo sites or a bingo hall, there are some basic responsible gambling practices worth following to keep gambling fun.
While Norway is introducing a formal requirement for bingo venues to offer the option to set loss limits, it is possible to set them with or without the requirement. Simply determine how much you can afford to risk in a session and stick to it.
It is also important that you are aware of the signs of problem gambling, such as feeling stressed or anxious about gambling, chasing losses, and ignoring other responsibilities in order to play. If you spot any of these behaviours in yourself or others, then it may be time to seek some support. There are several organisations, such as GamCare, GambleAware, and Gamblers Anonymous, that can help, and there is no shame in using their services.
Even if none of these behaviours affect you, it is still wise to take regular breaks when playing bingo. If you are playing in a bingo hall, don’t fill the time between games by playing electric games; step away for a little so that you can come back refreshed and with a clear head.
Depending on the website or bingo hall you are playing at, you will find that there are a variety of different tools to help you manage your play, such as loss limits, deposit limits, and even self-exclusion options. It is worth making use of these tools, as they are there to help.
Ultimately, bingo should be treated as fun and not as a way of making money. This will help ensure that the game doesn’t become a source of stress and you can continue to enjoy it fully.
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