Norwegian National Championship in poker and private poker teams legalized
Historical archive
Published under: Solberg's Government
Publisher: Ministry of Culture
Press release | No: 117/14 | Date: 17/10/2014 | Last updated: 14/12/2014
The Ministry of Culture has adopted amendments in the regulations relevant to lotteries with the result that now a Norway may arrange a National Championship in poker. Permission is now given for up to five regional qualification tournaments and three types of tournament poker.
- Up until today the Norwegian National Championship has been arranged abroad. In the future the championship may be held in Norway, says the Minister of Culture Thorhild Widvey.
In addition the government has submitted a proposal to the Parliament containing a suggestion to permit private poker teams under condition that the teams are not [professionally] organized. Today many people play poker in social settings in private homes. Until now this has not been legal but the prohibition has been difficult to enforce. As a result, the government proposes to legalize private poker teams. According to the new rules private poker teams may consist of up to 10 participants and the maximum contribution per participant is set to 1000 NOK. Such liberalization is in line with the general opinion of what law is or ought to be within this area of law.