title: Gambling and gambling policy in Norway--an exceptional case.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the development and current status of gambling and gambling policy in Norway.
  
  
  METHODS
  An overview of the research literature and official documents and websites.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gambling on electronic gaming machines (EGMs) increased dramatically in the 1990s in response to technological development and liberalization of gambling policy. Restrictions on availability of EGM gambling occurred from 2006 to 2009 and included a ban on note acceptors, a temporary ban on EGMs and re-introduction of fewer and less aggressive machines under a state monopoly. The restrictions led to significant decreases in total gambling turnover, and several studies suggest that they led to fewer gambling and gambling problems. Various factors may explain why the restrictions were politically feasible. These include media coverage of gambling concerns and economic compensation for revenue losses under the monopoly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In an international context of deregulation of gambling markets, the Norwegian policy restrictions on gambling availability have represented an exceptional case and provide a rare opportunity to explore the outcomes of such regulations. Overall, studies suggest that the policy restrictions have led to reductions in gambling expenditures and problem gambling.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Ingeborg
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rossow
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bang Hansen
mesh_terms: D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005715:Gambling / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011057:Politics; D011640:Public Policy
keywords: EGMs; Norway; gambling; gambling policy; problem gambling; regulation