for early access to the latest igaming videos!
and get the latest igaming news first!
836 customers affected – NOK 4 million in wagers to be refunded
Norsk Rikstoto, which holds the exclusive rights to horse betting in Norway, has disclosed a serious programming error in its systems. The error allowed certain customers to bet beyond their self-imposed, legally required limits.
According to a company press release, the issue affected 836 customers between December 2022 and September 17, 2025. In total, around NOK 4 million in bets were placed that should have been blocked. For most players, the excess amounted to less than NOK 500, but seven customers exceeded their limits by more than NOK 100,000.
– The deviation was due to a programming error in our systems, which has now been corrected. We deeply regret this, said Camilla Garmann, CEO of Norsk Rikstoto.
All affected customers will be reimbursed, and the company states it is reviewing its testing and monitoring procedures to reduce the risk of similar incidents.
Alert Raised by a Customer
The issue came to light on September 15, when a customer notified Rikstoto after exceeding their betting limit on Andelstorget, a product where customers buy shares in larger group bets.
Two days later, the company had identified and corrected the error, which was linked to the handling of reserved amounts in pooled bets. The Board of Directors, the Norwegian Gaming Authority (Lotteritilsynet), and the Ministry of Culture have all been informed.
Another Blow to Norway’s Gambling Monopolies
This incident adds to a string of technical and compliance-related problems in the Norwegian gambling market. Norsk Tipping, a separate monopoly operator, has previously faced repeated criticism for system failures and shortcomings in responsible gambling safeguards.
Both state-controlled operators highlight responsible gambling as their core mission. Yet, cases like this show how vulnerable the systems can be – and how quickly trust in Norway’s monopoly model can erode.
For Norsk Rikstoto, the situation is particularly sensitive given that responsible gambling is the foundation of its license to operate.
Next Steps
Garmann stressed that the error was difficult to detect, even with routine system testing. Still, she emphasized that Rikstoto will now strengthen its internal controls:
– We will review our procedures to reduce the risk of such errors happening again.
While players will be refunded, the case could prompt further scrutiny from regulators about how effectively responsible gambling obligations are enforced in practice.
