The Norwegian Gaming Authority (Lotteritilsynet) has halted payments to six online gambling companies, claiming they are operating “illegally” within the country’s regulatory jurisdiction.

Each of the blacklisted firms is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) – Europe’s largest online gaming and wagering regulator.

However, none of them hold licences in Norway, where gambling activity is tightly controlled and largely prohibited.

A Lotteritilsynet spokesperson said Norwegian banks had been ordered to block transactions to and from any accounts linked to the six offending companies.

This is not the first time the gaming regulator has sent a warning shot to online casinos and betting operators.

It has served cease and desist notices to several well-known companies over the past few months, including Betsson, Co-Gaming, Gaming Innovation Group, Kindred Group, L&L Europe and Lucky Dino.

Lotteritilsynet has also red flagged transactions from online payment processors such as Worldpay, Earth Port, Entercash, Inpay and Trustly.