Norway’s gaming regulator Lotteritilsynet has been accused of overstepping its authority by attempting to prevent Kindred from offering online gaming in the country.
A legal action has been brought by Trannel, a subsidiary of Kindred in Oslo City Court against the Norwegian Ministry of Culture, which oversees the regulator.
The filing argues that Lotteritilsynet acted outside the scope of law by attempting to prevent Kindred from offering online gaming in the country.
The filing accuses Lotteritilsynet of imposing unfair restrictions on the operator that included blocking of payments between its site and players. The regulator also sanctioned a ban on Kindred apps being listed in Apple App Store for Norway.
Anders Ryssdal, an attorney for the Glittertind law firm representing Kindred, told iGamingBusiness.com that the operator is seeking an order restraining Lottertilsynet.
“These operations are organized outside Norway in full compliance with local laws,” Ryssdal explained. “Norwegian customers, who access these online games from Norway, are also fully entitled to take part in such activity. Still, Lotteritilsynet attempts to restrict both Kindred and its customers with unlawful means.”
The ministry, which declined comment, has until January 23 to file its response to the Oslo City Court.
In 2018, the Norwegian government increased its efforts to drive unlicensed operators from the market, unveiling proposals to begin blocking transactions to these sites in April this year. This was followed by an agreement with Apple to remove unlicensed operators’ apps from the App Store, following a request from Lotteritilsynet.
