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Monday, 20 January 2025
Online Gaming in Denmark
Online gambling has been legalized in Denmark since 2012, but only sites that have received a licence from within the country borders are considered legal to play at.
Like many European countries, Denmark's progress toward a competitive online gaming market was slowed by the presence of a state-owned gambling monopoly. For years, Danske Spil, in operation since 1948, controlled both land-based and online gaming in Denmark. The Danish government controls 80% of Danske Spil. When Denmark moved to open the online gaming marketplace in 2012, Danske Spil retained its monopoly over lottery, bingo, keno, and a range of card and arcade games.
Denmark began its move toward liberalization in 2008 when Danske Spil's monopoly was challenged by the European Court of Justice (ECJ). After the challenge, the Danish government began the long process of creating a licensing and regulatory system that would open the online gaming market to other companies.
In June 2010, the Danish Parliament adopted legislation to open up the online gaming market. The law was challenged by land-based gaming companies on the premise that online gaming companies were being taxed at a lower rate than land-based operators. Danish tax requirements under the new law would tax land-based gaming revenues (in total) at rates between 45% and 75% of gross revenues. Meanwhile, online operators would be taxed 48% (in total – 20% GGR and 28% corporate tax).
The European Commission eventually ruled the two tax rates permissible, and Denmark's liberalization plan moved forward.
Danish gambling laws provide a structured system for the licensing and regulation of online gambling operations. Other gambling groups wanting to establish online gambling sites in Denmark must meet certain requirements. Operators must have an office that is physically located in Denmark and must have a reporting system in place that complies with Danish tax rules. The application fee is EUR 36,000 per license, with a dual license application fee of EUR 51,000 and an annual licensing fee ranging from EUR 7,000 to EUR 200,000, based on gross win. Unlike Italy, Spain and France, poker operators in Denmark are able to run their rooms with international liquidity, providing a better playing experience.
Danish authorities require ISPs to comply with blocking requests for unlicensed sites after a formal court injunction from a Danish judge.
In May 2011, the Danish Gambling Authority (DGA) revised its stance on a key regulatory provision for online foreign operators. The revised clause states, "In special cases, the Danish Gambling Authority may allow part of the licensee's gambling system to be located in a country that is not covered by a bilateral supervision agreement in accordance with subsection 2 if supervision by the Danish Gambling Authority of this part of the gambling system can be conducted in a satisfactory manner." This allows for the DGA to determine that parts of the online gaming service provided by Denmark do not have to be located within Denmark. That places Denmark squarely within the norm of European jurisdictions, most of which don't require online gaming servers to be in-country to be licensed.
In July 2011, the Alderney Gambling Control Commission and the Danish Gambling Authority entered into a bilateral cooperation agreement. The cooperation agreement establishes a "formal basis for cooperation and information sharing between the authorities."
In January 2013, the Danish Gambling Authority evaluated the performance of the online gaming licenses issued for their initial one-year period. Based on the review, it extended the online gaming licenses to five years, affecting five local and 20 foreign gaming operators. The Authority also issued to nine smaller operators income-restricted licenses that limit gross gambling revenue to 1 million DK – approximately GBP 100,000.
In May 2015, Denmark received approval from the European Commission to make several modifications to its online gambling legislation, including full regulation of daily fantasy sports. The proposed new regulations would impose an increased licensing fee on operators that generate revenue of more than EUR 13.4 million.
Show Complete Denmark Online Gaming Overview
Denmark Monthly Online Gaming Revenue
Denmark Monthly Sports Betting Revenue
Danish Online Gaming News
Altenar secures Danish B2B supplier license
(
9 January 2025
)
Obtaining the DGA license involved a thorough evaluation process, with Altenar now able to partner with and offer its award-winning solutions to licensed operators.
Omnigame granted Danish B2B license
(
9 December 2024
)
Omnigame was one of the first to receive a permit handed out by the Danish Gambling Authority and grants the company the right to provide its content in the Nordic country until 2029.
Push Gaming bolsters Danish presence with Danske Licens Spil
(
17 September 2024
)
Titles from Push Gaming's portfolio are now available to the state-owned operator’s players, including Razor Ways, Retro Sweets, Razor Shark and Fat Rabbit.
Gaming Realms boosts Danish reach through Danske Licens Spil
(
28 August 2024
)
Danske Licens Spil’s customers can now access Gaming Realms’ innovative Slingo games, including titles like Slingo Starburst, Slingo SPACE INVADERS and Slingo Sweet Bonanza.
Danes spend more on gambling in June 2024
(
6 August 2024
)
In June, Danish players' gambling spend in the areas of betting, online casinos, slot machines and land-based casinos amounted to DKK 703 million, a 37% increase compared to June 2023.
More News
December's Top Denmark Sites
Rank
Change
Casino Site
1
Danske Spil
2
Videoslots
3
1
▲
LeoVegas
4
1
▲
Spilnu.dk
5
2
▼
bet365 Denmark
6
4
▲
Holdet.dk
7
2
▲
Royal Casino
8
Unibet Denmark
9
2
▼
Komogvind.dk
10
4
▲
Pip.dk
Denmark Online Gaming Agencies
Spillemyndigheden
Denmark iGaming Associations
Spillebranchen
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