Norsk Rikstoto Investigated Following Glitch That Resulted in 23,000 Unpaid Bets

(AsiaGameHub) –   Norsk Rikstoto, the state-owned operator of horse racing betting in Norway, is currently under investigation by the Norwegian Gambling Authority (Lotteritilsynet). This inquiry follows two separate incidents earlier this year where a system error allowed thousands of wagers to be placed without payment.

Reasons for the Norsk Rikstoto Investigation

The initial incident, first brought to light by Trav-og Galopp-Nytt, occurred between February 3 and 5. During this period, more than 5,000 customers placed a total of 23,716 bets that were accepted into the betting pools without any funds being collected. These wagers were processed as standard entries across major racing pools, making them eligible for potential payouts despite no money having been transferred.

A similar issue re-emerged on March 25, again involving unpaid bets. The regulator was notified on April 15, which was beyond the 72-hour reporting deadline for serious incidents. In a subsequent letter dated April 20, the authority sought clarification for this delay, questioned why loss limits were not activated in the second occurrence, and inquired whether its previous questions had been fully addressed.

The estimated financial loss ranges between EUR 100,000 and EUR 200,000 (approximately $117,000 to $240,000). However, the actual financial impact could be considerably higher once payout structures and the re-betting of winnings are taken into account. Rikstoto has yet to release the exact figures.

The Regulator’s Stance on the Matter

Lotteritilsynet has clearly stated its position: all forms of gambling must involve a paid stake, and both free bets and credit betting are forbidden under Norwegian law.

The regulator is now investigating whether prize pools were calculated as if the unpaid stakes had actually been contributed. Should this prove true, payouts to all participants might have been skewed. It has also raised concerns about the absence of loss-limit breaches in the second incident and whether earlier inquiries regarding the February malfunction were completely resolved.

Lotteritilsynet has requested a comprehensive report from Rikstoto detailing both incidents, and regulatory measures may be imposed once the investigation concludes.

These problems surfaced following Rikstoto’s migration to a new betting platform provided by Betmakers—a transition that appears to have led to ongoing technical difficulties. Industry observers suggest that repeated failures of this nature can have broader consequences, including reduced funding for beneficiaries dependent on betting revenue, increased regulatory scrutiny, and a decrease in player confidence.

These recent missteps by Norsk Rikstoto are not the only instances that have led Lotteritilsynet to penalize the horse racing betting operator in recent months. For example, in late 2025, the gambling authority fined Norsk Rikstoto for permitting over 800 customers to wager beyond their designated loss limits.