Norway Gets Apple to Remove Gambling Apps from App Store
The mobile tech giant, Apple has blocked online players in Norway from accessing 38 gambling apps on the App Store. This was after the Norwegian Gaming Authority made a request.
Norwegian news outlet, Adessa, reported that the state successfully managed to convince Apple to remove all the online gambling applications from the Norwegian version of the App Store as they did not have licenses to operate in Norway.
Gambling Apps Removed on Apple App Store
The online casino apps that listed on the gambling blockade from the App Store included Coolbet, Leo Vegas, Mr Green, Unibet, NordicBet, Betsson and many more. However, ComeOn and CoolBet managed to remain on the App Store because they are licensed under the European Free Trade Zone.
In their request to take down the illegal gambling apps, the Norwegian Gaming Authority (NGA) emphasised that the Apple App Store guidelines forbid online casino applications to operate without any licenses. The senior adviser of the Norwegian Lottery Authority, Frank Hoff Hana, praised the decision made by Apple to remove the unlicensed apps. He mentioned that this is a great move as it will assist in reducing the number of illegal online casinos that operate in the Norway gambling industry.
Nonetheless, online casino operators doubt that the removal of gambling apps from the App Store will assist in reducing illegal gambling as well as problem gambling. They believe that the gambling app blockade will result in more problem gamblers while creating false hope for the Norwegian organisations and politicians that are fighting gambling addiction.Instead of banning the online gambling apps, some casino operators suggest that Norway follows in the footsteps of Sweden and Denmark and come up with a licensing arrangement for gambling.
Overview
The realm of casino gambling is ever-changing worldwide. New laws and regulations are being implemented in different gambling industries. At SunVegasCasino.com, we will do our best to always keep you posted with the top online casino news!