Canada
Discover the Different Gambling Policy Paths Taken by the Nordic Countries

If you are an avid fan of online gambling, then you likely already know the Nordic countries lead the way in legislation. But have you ever paused to consider why these five independent nations – Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland – all practice different gambling policies? Are their rules as varied as the landscape, or does a particular pattern exist? In this blog post, we will take a closer look into online gambling regulation practices within each of these countries – from how they handle traditional games like lotteries and bingo to regulations surrounding casinos and other forms of wagering, such as sports betting and gaming machines. So, if you are interested in online gambling, find the top safe and reliable casinos at caziwoo casinot to play your favourite games.
The most popular types of gambling in Nordic countries
Gambling is a popular pastime in Nordic countries, and many different types of gambling are popular there. The laws regulating gambling vary from country to country. This can be due to many factors, such as the history of gambling in each country and the population’s religious beliefs.
In Finland, gambling is regulated by the Finnish Gaming Board. The main types of gambling that are legal in Finland are casino games, lotteries, and sports betting. Horse racing is also legal in Finland, but dog racing is not. Slot machines are not legal in Finland, although some exceptions exist for amusement arcades.
In Sweden, gambling is regulated by the Swedish Gambling Authority. The main types of gambling that are legal in Sweden are casino games, lotteries, and sports betting. Slot machines are not legal in Sweden, but bingo is.
In Norway, gambling is regulated by the Norwegian Gaming Board. The main types of gambling that are legal in Norway are casino games and lotteries. Sports betting is not legal in Norway, but horse racing is. Slot machines are illegal in Norway, although some exceptions exist for amusement arcades.
In Denmark, gambling is regulated by the Danish Gambling Authority. The main types of gambling that are legal in Denmark are casino games and lotteries. Sports betting is not legal in Denmark, but horse racing is. Slot machines are not legal in Denmark, although some exceptions exist for amusement arcades.
The different laws regulating gambling in Nordic countries can be attributed to various factors. In Sweden and Finland, for example, the laws may be based on the historical influence of the Church on society. In Norway and Denmark, on the other hand, the laws may be based on secular values instead. Additionally, the population’s religious beliefs may also play a role in determining which types of gambling are legalized. In Sweden and Finland, for example, lotteries may be more popular than casino games because lotteries have a stronger link to charity than casino games do.
How lottery games are regulated in Nordic countries
Lottery games in Nordic countries are regulated by their individual governments. In Sweden, for example, the Lotteries Act of 1994 regulates state-run and private lotteries. This act establishes the Swedish Gaming Board as the regulatory authority for all lotteries in Sweden. The board is responsible for issuing licenses to operators, ensuring compliance with the law, and investigating any possible illegal activities.
In Norway, the Lotteries Act of 1992 sets out the regulatory framework for lotteries in the country. This act establishes the Norwegian Gaming Board as the regulatory authority for all lotteries in Norway. The board is responsible for issuing licenses to operators, ensuring compliance with the law, and investigating any possible illegal activities.
The Gambling Tax Act of 2012 regulates state-run and private lotteries in Denmark. This act establishes the Danish Gambling Authority as the regulatory authority for all lotteries in Denmark. The authority is responsible for issuing licenses to operators, ensuring compliance with the law, and investigating any possible illegal activities.
The Lottery Act of 1999 regulates state-run and private lotteries in Finland. This act establishes the Finnish Gambling Board as the regulatory authority for all lotteries in Finland. The board is responsible for issuing licenses to operators, ensuring compliance with the law, and investigating any possible illegal activities.
How casino gambling is treated in each Nordic country
Casino gambling is legal in all Nordic countries, but there are some differences in how it is treated. In Denmark, for example, casino gambling is a state-owned monopoly. This means that the only place you can gamble in a casino is at one of the two state-owned casinos in the country. In Sweden, on the other hand, there are no restrictions on private casinos, so you can gamble at any casino you want.
In recent years, Norway and Finland have tried to liberalize their casino gambling laws. In Norway, a new law was passed in 2015 that allowed private companies to operate casinos. However, the regulations are quite restrictive, and only a handful of companies have been granted licenses. In Finland, a bill that would have allowed private companies to operate casinos was introduced in Parliament in 2016, but it was ultimately defeated.
Iceland has been more reluctant to liberalize its casino gambling laws. The state owns the only casino in the country, and there are no plans to change that.
How sports betting is handled in the Nordics
The way sports betting is handled in Nordic countries varies from country to country. In Finland, for example, gambling is legal and regulated by the government. The Finnish Gaming Board oversees all gambling activity in the country, and punters must place their bets through one of its licensed operators. Betting on football is particularly popular in Finland, and many firms offer odds on domestic and international matches. In Sweden, by contrast, gambling is illegal apart from a few state-owned casinos. Swedes must bet with offshore operators if they want to bet on sports. This has resulted in a thriving black market for sports betting, with an estimated $2 billion per year. Swedish punters are particularly fond of betting on horse racing, as there are no legal ways to do so within the country.
Conclusion
In general, Nordic countries have fairly permissive gambling laws. Casino gambling is legal in all Nordics, and sports betting is legal or tolerated. However, there are differences in how these activities are regulated from country to country. For example, Denmark has a state-owned monopoly on casino gambling, while Sweden allows private casinos. Norway and Finland are currently trying to liberalize their gaming laws by permitting private companies to offer online casino games. As a small and isolated nation, Iceland has been more reluctant to liberalize its gaming sector, but this may change over time. Despite these differences, Nordic countries remain popular destinations for punters seeking an entertaining online gaming experience!
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Canada
Maverick Games Launches Sports Betting Operations in Ontario

Maverick Games has launched sports betting operations in Ontario, through a partnership with Delasport.
Maverick Games will offer Ontarian players a premium sports betting experience, built on Delasport’s superior technology and known for its unique innovative features that players love including personalization, recommendations, gamification, quick bets, player engagement features, and more.
Maverick Games is the second brand to launch on Delasport’s technology in Ontario, with another full turnkey brand set to go live soon. Delasport also recently unveiled its innovative sports betting jackpot network game, SuperPot. The company will showcase this unique product at the Canadian Gaming Summit next month and begin rolling it out to Ontarian operators shortly thereafter.
“We are proud to see Maverick Games live and thriving with our one of a kind sportsbook solution at its core. They have been a fantastic partner from the start, and this launch further demonstrates how fast and efficient our technology is when paired with a clear vision and strong collaboration,” said Rosaire Galea Cavallaro, VP of Business Development at Delasport.
“Maverick Games’s sports vertical is a major step forward for us and launching it with Delasport has been the right move from day one. The platform’s performance and flexibility allow us to deliver the kind of user experience we believe Ontario players deserve. We’re excited to now bring that vision to life,” CEO Matt Rathbun said.
The post Maverick Games Launches Sports Betting Operations in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Canada
Tsleil-Waututh Nation Signs MoU to Acquire Casino Business at Hastings Racecourse & Casino

Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN) announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to acquire the casino business and related real property interests at Hastings Racecourse & Casino (Hastings) in the City of Vancouver from Great Canadian Gaming Corporation (Great Canadian Entertainment).
“We are thrilled to take another important step towards economic self-determination for our Nation in our traditional territory, and we are eager to work with the senior management team at Great Canadian Entertainment to finalize due diligence and execute a definitive agreement, as well as working with the City of Vancouver to ensure the best long-term use of this important asset within the City. We believe that this opportunity is historic for us in many ways, and we look forward to entering the gaming industry in due course,” said Jen Thomas, Chief of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
“We are excited about working with TWN on their potential acquisition of the casino operations and related real property interests at Hastings Racecourse & Casino. Recognizing that Hastings is part of the TWN’s traditional territory, we can think of no better entity to inherit this asset, and we look forward to supporting them in the transition after the anticipated close of the sale,” Matt Anfinson, Chief Executive Officer of Great Canadian Entertainment.
The agreement is subject to further due diligence, finalization of financial terms and the execution of a definitive purchase and sale agreement. Once a definitive agreement has been executed by the parties, it is anticipated that the transaction will be subject to customary closing conditions as well as customary approvals by gaming regulatory and other authorities, including certain approvals by the City of Vancouver given its ownership of the real property. It is expected that Great Canadian Entertainment will provide transition services to TWN for a period of time following the anticipated closing.
The post Tsleil-Waututh Nation Signs MoU to Acquire Casino Business at Hastings Racecourse & Casino appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Ben Clemes
High Roller Submits Gaming License Application in Ontario

High Roller Technologies, operator of the premium online casino brands High Roller and Fruta, announced the submission of its Internet Gaming Operator license application in Ontario, Canada, targeting the launch of its flagship brand HighRoller.com in the second half of 2025.
“The submission of our licensing application to access Ontario’s regulated online gambling market is an important milestone in our Company’s journey. Once our application is approved, we anticipate that we will have the opportunity to launch our online casino product into the market later this year,” said Ben Clemes, Chief Executive Officer at High Roller.
Ontario is one of the largest regulated online gambling markets in the world as measured by gross gaming revenue. In 2024, regulated online gambling operators within the province generated approximately $2.3B in gross gaming revenue, and growth continues to be recorded in the first half of 2025. Recently, the province of Alberta passed enabling legislation to establish a regulatory framework for online gambling. Once available, the Company also intends to pursue licensure in Alberta to expand its regulated market footprint in Canada.
“Ontario is missing an elegant brand like High Roller. We’re excited to roll out the red carpet for our new customers, and we’re looking forward to showcasing our tremendous product,” said Clemes.
The post High Roller Submits Gaming License Application in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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