Most Popular Gambling Cities in Norway
Gambling in Norway is illegal for the most part. In fact, the only two companies able to offer it are Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto. The former provides options like lotteries, sports betting and keno. The latter supervises parimutuel betting on animal races. Both are state-owned brands. They serve under the Ministry of Culture and Church. Rules are also in place about the times gambling can occur and the amount possible to wager. There are some fantastic online options to utilise in the country. We have reviewed some of the best online casinos in Norway already. Yet land-based casinos are not available in the country. Racecourses with gambling possibilities do exist, though. If you plan to visit Norway, check out our comprehensive guide about gambling locations in Norway to learn more!
Drammen
Drammen is a city and municipality in Viken. It is also home to the Drammen Racecourse, which is around 5km from the city centre. It exists as one of 10 permanent betting courses in the country. Drammen Racecourse first started operating in 1955 and provides trotting races on Tuesdays. These take place 33 times throughout the year. Meanwhile, V75 betting races occur around five times per year. It is these events that help Drammen stand out as a fantastic choice for bettors.
Bærum
In technical terms, this city makes up part of the Norwegian capital city, Oslo. It is also home to the Øvrevoll Racecourse, which is about 15 minutes outside of Oslo. It has both a turf track and an all-weather track alongside. This is the only racecourse in Norway to provide both of these options in one location. Races usually occur on most Thursdays starting from mid-April. They run through to December. The biggest event to occur there is the Derby Day at the end of August. It features a grandstand, a licensed lounge and two restaurants to experience. A short journey east will take you into the neighbouring country. This allows you to experience a Swedish casino or two.
Bjerke
Another borough of Oslo, the area of Bjerke hosts its own racecourse. The Bjerke Travpark serves as a harness racing track. Situated by Trondheimsveien, it is a 1,000-metre-long track. Norsk Rikstoto operates the tote betting at this racecourse, as is true of all racetracks in the country. It opened up for racing in 1928 when horse racing betting became legal in Norway. About 115 races occur at the track every year. This makes it the busiest Norwegian racetrack, and a popular destination for tourists.
Race days occur twice per week, on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The Oslo Grand Prix is one of the biggest events taking place there in May. The Trotting derby is another one to occur in September. It takes around 10 minutes by car from Oslo city centre to reach the course.
Stavanger
Experience the oldest continuously running racecourse in Norway by visiting Stavanger. The Forus Travbane held its first trotting race in 1920 and has never looked back. In 1985, it went through a fantastic refurbishment, making it a more modern facility. Since that time, it has grown to become the fastest racecourse in Norway. Several international stars have experienced excellent careers at Forus. They include horses Rex Rodney and Gentle Star.
Around 45 race days occur at Forus every year, with most of them happening on Tuesdays. The Forus Open serves as the premiere event to experience and bet on. This is one of the few to take place on a weekend at the end of June. The horse to finish in the first position takes home one million Norwegian kroner. Forget the best casino slots and try betting on the events at Forus in Stavanger.
Bergen
While many of the places already spoken of are within Oslo, Bergen is not. It is a city and municipality in Vestland on the west coast. It serves as the second-largest city in the country behind Oslo. There, you will be able to visit the Bergen Travpark, which is about 15km outside the city. It takes about 45 minutes to get there from Bergen's airport, and it offers idyllic scenery. Again, the racecourse stands at 1,000 metres long. The national record for a warmblood horse was set at the course by Shan Rags. Most horses run at the track at three years old or younger. You can also engage in betting on the events that take place there.
Fact-checked by Julia Attard
Senior Author & Online Casino Expert