Norwegian UIGEA Possible

Norwegian internet poker phenom, Annette Obrestad, won the World Series of Poker Europe Main Event this month, taking home £1,000,000.  Afterwards, she said that she plans on playing more live tournaments now that she’s shown she can beat the best.  If Norwegian Culture Minister, Trond Giske, gets his way, she may have to spend all of her poker playing time in the casino, rather than in the comfort of her own home. 

Giske told the Gaming Intelligence Group that he and other Norwegian law makers are working on legislation similar to the United States’ UIGEA that “would ban online gambling.”  He said that online gambling is, in fact, already illegal in the country, and the new law would prevent banks from facilitating the transfer of funds to online gaming companies. 

Giske said that if the legislation does pass, it could go into effect as early as spring 2008. 

One hurdle that proponents of this potential legislation would have to overcome would be the disapproval of members of the European Economic Area (EEA).  Norway is not a full-fledged member of the European Union, but it is part of the EEA.  Countries with online gaming interests would most likely challenge the law in court.