21 Reported Cases Spark Investigation Into Potential Payment and Verification Lapses
The Norwegian Lottery Authority has opened a formal investigation into state-owned gaming operator Norsk Tipping, following a series of alarming reports that children may have accessed gambling services on the platform.
The probe was triggered by 21 separate tips submitted to the Authority since January 2024, alleging that minors had used digital payment services like Apple Pay and Vipps to gamble via pre-existing accounts belonging to older friends or family members.
While the catalyst appears to be underage access, the situation has quickly expanded into a broader inquiry involving possible breaches of the Money Laundering Act and concerns around customer verification protocols.
Letter From Regulator Raises Serious Compliance Questions
Senior Legal Counsel Advisors Anya There Marhus and Monica Alisøy Kjelsnes have sent a letter to Norsk Tipping outlining nine detailed questions the operator must address within two weeks.
Key inquiries include:
Whether Norsk Tipping notified the regulator after receiving the 21 tips.
What risk assessments were conducted prior to introducing Apple Pay and Vipps.
How the company ensures compliance with anti-money laundering laws given the apparent lack of account ownership verification.
The letter notes:
“How do you assess these payment solutions against the requirements of the Money Laundering Act when you do not know whether the funds belong to the registered customer?”
This suggests that the investigation could delve into more than just underage gambling — potentially exposing systemic weaknesses in payment validation and identity management.
Risk of Sanctions Despite State Ownership
Although Norsk Tipping is state-owned and unlikely to lose its licence, the operator could face significant penalties if found negligent in enforcing gambling safety and anti-money laundering requirements. This scrutiny builds upon earlier issues for the company, including a separate investigation launched in early 2025 after it was revealed the wrong lottery winners had been selected over a period of time.
The regulator confirmed that Norsk Tipping has already engaged in three preliminary meetings on 8, 9, and 13 May to discuss the situation, indicating that the matter is being treated with urgency and seriousness.
Broader Implications for Payments and Player Safety
At the heart of this growing controversy is the use of modern digital payment methods by minors to fund gambling accounts — a vulnerability that raises ethical, legal, and technological questions. While designed for convenience, services like Apple Pay and Vipps may lack the necessary safeguards when tied to shared family devices or payment credentials.
This case could serve as a turning point for regulation in Norway, potentially leading to tighter controls on digital transactions in gambling environments, especially those operated by public entities.
As Norsk Tipping prepares its response, all eyes will be on the outcome — and whether it triggers broader changes to how digital payments and player identities are managed in the country’s gaming landscape.
