The party tipped to win Norway’s general election next year says it is not the role of government to debate the MORALITY of online gambling.

The Progress Party — currently the second largest political party in parliament but riding high in opinion surveys — says if it wins the September 2009 poll it will LEGALISE private gaming and casinos and END the present state monopoly on gambling.

Aggressive

Deputy Leader Per Sandberg said Progress did not believe that the state should be involved in operating casinos like neighbouring Sweden — where Svenska Spel is the sole operator.

And he BLASTED members of the current ruling left-leaning coalition in Oslo for using morality issues as a reason for preserving the status quo.

“Fact is,” he added, “we already have the possibility to gamble online, and the state is a very aggressive operator.

“These are modern times and I don’t think the Minister of Culture & Church Affairs should be discussing the morality of this subject.

“This is not a moral issue.”

Long-Term

Sandberg said gambling reform — including legalising casinos — was one of his party’s priorities and had been for many years.

Last month, Casino Update reported how Sweden’s gambling monopoly was reported to have broken EU trade laws.