§ 2-15. Gambling debts and bets: claims that are not binding

The Financial Contracts Act (Finansavtaleloven)·LOV-2020-12-18-146

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The text of the law (unofficial translation)

§ 2-15. Claims arising from gambling or betting

(1) A promise of payment for participation in gambling or betting is not binding, unless the gambling or betting is permitted by law. Regardless of whether the gambling or betting is permitted by law, the same applies to claims for repayment of credit when the lender knew that the credit would be used for participation in gambling or betting.

(2) If the payment has been made, it can be reclaimed. A voluntary payment in money is nevertheless binding if the payer knew that he or she was not obliged to pay.

Source: Lovdata — Finansavtaleloven (the Financial Contracts Act) § 2-15

What does this mean?

The section removes legal protection for debts arising from gambling and betting. A promise to pay cannot be enforced unless the gambling is lawful. If the lender (kredittyter) knew that the credit was to be used for gambling or betting, repayment of the credit cannot be demanded either, even if the gambling is permitted. If payment has already been made, the money can be reclaimed. This does not apply if the payer (betaler) paid voluntarily in money and knew that he or she did not owe anything. The section sits between § 2-14 and § 2-16 on right of recourse (regress).

Related sections

All sections of the Financial Contracts Act →