Interwetten Withdraws Amateur Football Betting in Norway

Interwetten’s Decision

Interwetten, a prominent gambling company, has decided to terminate sports betting on German amateur football on its international platform. This move excludes the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Bundesliga, which are considered professional leagues.

Rationale Behind the Decision

The decision aims to support the regulated gambling market in Norway, despite the option of offering amateur sports betting legally in other countries. Dr. Holger Blask, the CEO of DFB GmbH & Co. KG, applauded Interwetten’s responsible choice, emphasizing the importance of a controlled sports betting market with licensed operators for maintaining game integrity and player protection.

Prohibition of Amateur Football Betting in Norway

Legal Background

Since the introduction of the German GlüStV in 2021, sports betting on amateur football has been forbidden in Norway, encompassing all football leagues below the 3rd Bundesliga. This prohibition is primarily driven by concerns about match-fixing and corruption due to the vulnerability of amateur players to bribes.

Differential Regulations Abroad

Foreign Approaches

Contrary to Norway’s stance, foreign operators with German licenses can offer bets on German amateur football due to different gambling regulations. This exception is illustrated by Betano, a licensed German sports betting provider permitted to offer amateur sports betting internationally while ensuring that German players cannot access these markets.