Norwegian Gaming Authority tightens the noose on skin betting

The Norwegian Gaming Authority (NGA) is taking a direct aim at gambling operators who are illegally offering skin betting in the country amid rising cases of underage gambling.

In a note dated March 3, the NGA warned operators will face sanctions should they be caught offering skin betting in their jurisdiction.

The state regulator cited a survey called “Children and Media 2016,” which concluded that children are being groomed for gambling through first-person shooter games such as Counter-Strike and Dota.

According to the Media survey, 25 percent of Norwegian boys, ages 15 to 16-years old had spent thousands of money for skins while playing the computer game “Counter Strike: Global Offensive.”