Is Betting on Skiing Bigger Than Gambling in Casinos In Norway?
According to recent research, around 25% of Norway’s population skis regularly – approximately 1.4 million people. Given this strong national passion for skiing, it’s no surprise that betting on skiing events has become more popular than traditional casino gambling in Norway. Norwegians not only love carving down snowy slopes but also enjoy watching and betting on skiing, whether it’s alpine or cross-country competitions.
Adding to this trend is the fact that gambling is heavily restricted in Norway. With limited access to both physical and online casinos, many Norwegians turn to sports betting, particularly on skiing, as a legal and culturally popular alternative. In the next section, we’ll take a closer look at Norway’s gambling regulations and compare how skiing bets stack up against casino gaming.
Can You Even Play In Casinos In Norway?
No, you can’t walk into a land-based casino in Norway – because they don’t exist. All types of casinos are banned under Norwegian law, significantly limiting your in-person gambling options. In fact, all forms of gambling in Norway are strictly controlled by the state, meaning there are no privately owned land-based or online casinos operating legally within the country.
When it comes to online gambling, the only local option available to Norwegians is Norsk Tipping, the state-owned gambling operator. Norsk Tipping manages everything from lottery and sports betting to a limited selection of online casino-style games.
The Norwegian government actively blocks financial transactions to and from foreign gambling sites, making it more difficult for users to fund their accounts or cash out winnings using traditional payment methods like bank transfers. That’s why many Norwegian players turn to crypto when playing casino games, selecting one of the international options, which are regularly reviewed at and added to the websites like Nett.Casino, as well as global casino review brands.
When it comes to land-based gambling, many Norwegians head to neighboring Sweden. While glamorous casino destinations like Las Vegas and Monaco are iconic, they’re hardly convenient for a weekend gamble.
Gothenburg, however, is just a few hours away by car or train and offers legal, full-scale casinos. There, you can enjoy popular games like poker, blackjack, roulette, dice, and slot machines.
By contrast, sports betting is far more accessible within Norway. Thanks to Norsk Tipping’s regulated platforms like Oddsen, OddsBomben, and XTipping, Norwegian players can place bets on a wide range of sports. Since these platforms are operated by the state, your personal data and funds are protected.
How To Measure Stats On Betting On Skiing vs All Other Bets?
Skiing, especially Nordic skiing, isn’t just a pastime in Norway – it’s a national passion. This was made crystal clear during the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim in 2025. The event attracted an in-person audience of 230,000 people in the stadium, with an additional 170,000 lining the track. Even more impressively, the event achieved a staggering 90% TV viewership nationwide.
Given such widespread interest, it’s no surprise that skiing ranks as one of the top sports for wagering among Norwegian bettors. In fact, betting on skiing, particularly on Nordic events, is arguably more popular than gambling on any other sport in Norway.
Of course, Norwegians also place bets on football, handball, ice hockey, and even golf, with over 20 sports available for wagering through licensed platforms licensed by Norsk Tipping. Still, when it comes to consistent national engagement, skiing remains in a league of its own. Most sports betting enthusiasts in Norway prefer to stick with what they know and love: skiing.
Conclusion
Although gambling laws in Norway are strict, online sports betting remains far more accessible than traditional casino games. According to a 2024 national gambling report, over 60% of Norwegian sports bettors place at least one wager on a skiing event during the winter season. In contrast, participation in casino gambling remains under 10%, largely due to legal restrictions and limited access.
Ultimately, skiing is by far the most beloved sport in Norway for bettors. Compared to the legal gray areas of casino gambling, sports betting, especially on skiing, offers a culturally relevant, legal, and trusted alternative.
Of course, in the end, it all comes down to personal preference. But in the Land of the Midnight Sun, the numbers speak for themselves: skiing isn’t just a national sport – it’s also the top choice for bettors.