Norwegian Regulator Clarifies: Government Tax Scheme Is Not a Lottery

Norway's gambling regulator Lotteritilsynet has issued clarification after media outlets dubbed a government employment initiative the 'tax lottery,' prompting public inquiries about its legality.

The Scheme in QuestionThe Norwegian Finance Ministry launched a trial program where a random selection of young people receive reduced taxes, aimed at researching effective methods to increase youth employment. Media coverage characterizing this as a 'lottery' led to confusion among the public.

Regulator's ResponseTore Bell, Director of Lotteritilsynet's gambling department, expressed frustration with the misleading terminology.

"We would never approve a state body organizing a lottery, and unfortunately many people are being misled when the scheme is described this way," Bell stated.

Why It Doesn't Qualify as GamblingBell clarified that under Norwegian gambling law, three elements must be present for something to constitute gambling or a lottery:

A stake (innsats)A prize of economic valueA random outcomeThe Finance Ministry's scheme fails to meet these criteria. While some might consider tax payments as a form of stake, Bell noted that paying taxes to the government does not qualify as a 'stake' under the Gambling Act.

Lotteritilsynet has therefore confirmed that the so-called 'tax lottery' is definitively not a lottery under Norwegian law.