[ad_1]
LIBERALIZA: Abid Raja reveals the new government poker rules in this VG interview. Photo: Berit Roald
At the same time that, according to the industry, a wave of poker is sweeping across the country, Culture Minister Abid Raja has decided to give more leeway to poker lovers in Norway. Critics are concerned.
– I think this is highly anticipated, says the Minister of Culture about the changes that the government has now decided.
– Ironically, people have to wait now to be able to gather 20 people for the poker teams because of the crown, but there are many who have asked for that change. If a gang got together on a poker team and suddenly there were 11 people, they would be criminals. Now we do something about it, Abid Raja tells VG.
– People gather in social groups, not primarily to earn a lot of money, but to have a good time. The restriction of ten people has created headaches for many, according to the Minister of Culture.
also read
He quit his job, sold his apartment, and moved to Las Vegas to become a poker pro.
– Why not more than 20?
– So we get closer to a more professional touch, and we don’t want that in private homes. This should be for friends and acquaintances.
In 2014, the government opened for NM poker and private home poker games. Now they are further liberalizing this:
* The increase from 10 to 20 people applies to everyone over 18 years of age and betting on credit is not allowed.
* NM poker players get a stop loss of 20,000 crowns (same as Norsk Tipping). Previously, they had a deposit limit of 20,000 crowns, which also applied if they made money. In qualifying tournaments, the limit is 5,000 crowns.
* Previously, you were not allowed to enter the same tournament if you had been eliminated. Now allows players to make new deposits, as long as they do not exceed the stop loss.
* The government is also making some practical changes that will make things easier for NM organizers in poker.
also read
Support scheme for cultural life: – He curses me
– The NM should take place in Norway, says Abid Raja, considering that the NM for poker has also taken place abroad.
– The Norwegian Poker Association has requested changes to create greater predictability for the organizers. There has been a real risk that no one will apply to host the NM. That is why we have done something about it, says Raja.
Sigurd Eskeland, president of the Norwegian Poker Association, is positive about the changes ahead, but has one more wish up his sleeve:
– We believe that Norsk Tipping should start offering online poker. They play all the other games, so why not poker? It should be part of your offer. Now poker players from foreign gaming companies are disappearing, says Eskeland.
Abid Raja says that “this is a question we must return to”:
– Norway’s gambling policy is about responsibility and that people should not put houses and homes at risk.
– Precisely for this reason, poker should also be included in Norsk Tipping, replies Eskeland.
also read
There is hardly any sport to play: – Think that poker is booming
He says interest in poker has skyrocketed as a result of the crown pandemic, which makes people sit at home and play. Mikael Mellquist at Coolbet can point out that Eskeland is right:
– There is a big wave of poker in Norway during the day. In April last year, when the country was closed, Coolbet had almost 6,000 unique Norwegians playing online. I have never seen such high numbers in my 12 years in the gaming industry. In 2021, we are back to having record numbers in poker, and a lot is due to the fact that we offer buddy tournaments for everyone, says Mellquist.
Pernille Huseby, general secretary of Actis, the cooperation body in the field of drugs, is not so excited about the changes that the government is implementing now:
We believe the 20 limit is disproportionately high and will clearly touch the limit of what should be considered professional activity, both in scope and in awards, he says.
also read
Henrik Carlsen: – Magnus himself has proven the need to cut to play
– As the game will take place in private houses, the limit can be kept at the current level, that is, ten players. The advantage of keeping the limit low is that fewer people are invited to the game.
Huseby is generally skeptical of “a generalization of poker to which a Poker NM contributes”.
– We also don’t want NM Poker or private poker teams to be more attractive. We care about preventing and limiting the damage caused by the game, and that the offer of the game must be carried out in a safe and responsible framework.
Abid Raja believes that 20 people on poker teams does not mean any professional activity.
– This is a liberalization that makes the Liberal Party happy, says the Minister of Culture.
