One Year of DNS Blocking: Norway Has Blocked 236 Gambling Operators

Norway's gambling regulator has successfully blocked access to 236 unlicensed gambling operators through DNS blocking technology since the enforcement mechanism was introduced on January 1, 2025, as part of the country's revised Gambling Act. The measure represents a significant escalation in Norway's regulatory approach, moving beyond traditional enforcement to employ technical barriers that prevent users from accessing prohibited platforms.

DNS blocking operates by intercepting domain name resolution requests, preventing internet users from accessing targeted websites. The technology has become an increasingly popular regulatory tool across Europe and beyond, offering regulators a mechanism to restrict access to unlicensed operators without requiring direct cooperation from the operators themselves. Norway's implementation demonstrates the scale of unlicensed gambling activity in the market and the regulator's commitment to protecting consumers from unregulated platforms.

The blocking of 236 operators over a single year indicates both the prevalence of illegal gambling sites targeting Norwegian users and the effectiveness of DNS blocking as an enforcement tool. The updated Gambling Act strengthened existing regulatory requirements while introducing technical enforcement mechanisms designed to create a more controlled market environment. The legislation reflects broader European trends toward stricter gambling regulation and consumer protection measures.

However, DNS blocking remains imperfect—technically sophisticated users can circumvent such measures through VPNs or alternative DNS services. The blocking campaign must therefore be complemented by other enforcement strategies, including financial investigations, payment processor cooperation, and international coordination. For licensed Norwegian operators, the blocking of competitors creates a more level playing field, though the persistence of workarounds suggests that regulatory vigilance and multi-layered enforcement approaches remain essential to maintaining market integrity.