Norsk Tipping distributes NOK5.5bn to good causes in 2019

Norwegian gaming monopoly Norsk Tipping has revealed that it distributed over NOK5.5bn (£417.2m/€478.4m/$515.3m) from its profits to good causes across the country during 2019.

The amount represents an increase of 14.6% on the NOK4.8bn it generated for good causes in 2018, despite the Norwegian government retaining NOK131m to support efforts related to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis.

Norsk Tipping donated NOK2.7bn to sporting organisations in Norway, as well as NOK697.2m to grassroots sports projects. Some NOK804.8bn was sent to the culture sector, while NOK804.8bn was also issued to socially beneficial and humanitarian organisations.

A total of NOK305.7m was used for health and rehabilitation purposes, while NOK55.1m was distributed to bingo projects and NOK15.0m used to support problem gambling initiatives.

Norsk Tipping donated the funds in line with requirements set out in Norway’s Gambling Act. Regulations state that 6.4% must be allocated for health and rehabilitation purposes, with the remainder split as following: 64% for sports, 18% culture and 18% for non-profit and humanitarian organisations.

Meanwhile, the Norwegian Ministry of Culture has appointed Aysegül Cin and Per Øivind Skard as new directors of Norsk Tipping for the period leading up to its annual general meeting in 2021.

Cin is executive vice president of Sweden at Norwegian insurance broker Gjensidige Forsikring, while Skard is the managing partner of Otte AS, a consultancy focused on technology, business models and government regulation.

“I am pleased that Cin and Skard have agreed to contribute as new board members in Norsk Tipping; they have a competence that will be valuable in the further development of the company and that will complement the existing board in a good way,” Minister of Culture and Gender Equality Abid Raja said.