Although Denmark’s reputation as a licensing stickler precedes it, the country’s liberal gambling regulations allow for a wide variety of betting options for locals. The gambling laws of Denmark are the subject of this essay.
Casino Games and Their Regulatory Status
The Danish Gambling Authority, Spillemyndigheden, is responsible for licensing and regulation under the 2012 Gambling Act, the primary piece of legislation covering gambling in Denmark.
While the country has rigorous regulations for gambling businesses, gamblers have a wide range of options, as most forms of gambling are allowed. In this article, we’ll examine the many types of gambling available.
Gaming
The first land-based casino in Denmark, Casino Marienlyst, opened in 1902, marking a long history of legalized casino gambling in the country. Although offline casinos are permitted in Denmark, there are relatively few of them (6 total) as compared to other European countries. But there are literally hundreds of slot parlors all over the place.
More than 50 licensed operators already provide their collections of online casino slots, table games, and live dealer games to citizens of Denmark, making online casino gaming legal in Denmark as of the 2012 Gambling Act’s passage.
ISPs will often block the sites of unlicensed operators and the operators themselves may face fines if caught. Due to the vague nature of the 2012 Gambling Act, professional gamblers may also face legal consequences for engaging in illegal online gambling.
A license from the Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden) is required in both scenarios.
Poker
Online and land-based poker rooms are both allowed in Denmark, albeit they must be licensed by the Spillemyndigheden. The only places to play poker in person are the licensed casinos (there are no independent poker clubs).
Similarly, licensed online casinos provide online poker games to citizens of Denmark, making online poker a legal and popular hobby in the country. Unlicensed poker sites are being actively blocked.
Bingo
Bingo gambling in Denmark is a fascinating topic. Traditional offline bingo gaming is permitted in the country, despite its low popularity; however, few operators actually provide these games due to the high cost of obtaining a casino license. In Denmark, the monopoly operator Danske Spil is the only business that may legally offer games like instant bingo, a localized version of the game.
In the same vein, Danish law permits online bingo play. Danske Spil also provides an online platform for its instant bingo games. Since there is currently no specific bingo license available, providers of the more well-known online bingo game must instead get a casino license. There are no licensed online bingo providers serving Denmark at present time due to the high expenses involved and the fact that this style of online bingo is not popular in the nation.
Lotteries
Danes can legally participate in lotteries, keno, scratch cards, quick bingo, and raffles, all of which are operated by Danske Spil, the country’s sole lottery operator. Gambling for real money on online lotteries is legal in the country, but again, only through the monopoly corporation Danske Spil.
Loot boxes, Social Gambling, Skins Gambling, and Crypto Gambling
Since skins gaming, which is becoming increasingly popular among young people, is not explicitly included in Denmark’s gambling regulations, neither is social gambling nor lootboxes, leaving these gray areas uncontrolled at the present time.
According to the Gambling Act, Bitcoin casinos are considered to be gambling businesses and are required to get a license in order to legally provide their services to the public. Despite the fact that the use of cryptocurrencies is not illegal in Denmark, they are not recognized as legal tender. This explains why there aren’t any brick-and-mortar or online crypto casinos in Denmark at the moment.
However, there are still a few foreign casinos that are licensed in Denmark and accept cryptocurrency thanks to the availability of third-party crypto payment service providers.
Danish Regulations on Sports Gambling
In Denmark, you can legally wager on sports either physically or online. Danske Spil has a monopoly on wagering on horse, dog, and pigeon races, although Spillemyndigheden grants licenses for wagering on all other sports. Less than 20 sports betting firms presently service the region, however, due to the high price of the necessary license and taxes.
The present Gambling Act does not address fantasy sports betting, leaving it uncontrolled.
Maximum Gambling Age Set at 21
If you want to gamble at a casino or play gambling games online in Denmark, you must be at least 18 years old, as that is the legal gambling age.
Controlling Taxes
The regulation of gambling taxes in Denmark results in some of the highest costs for operators elsewhere in Europe. There is a 45% tax on casinos, 41% on slot machines, 28% on online gambling businesses, and 20% on everything else. Gambling for charity still incurs a 17.5% tax rate. Taxes must be paid on all income in addition to the standard 22% corporate tax rate.
Gamblers in Denmark must pay personal income tax on their gains, which can be fairly high (above 55% in some situations).
The Development of Danish Gambling Laws
In 1753, Denmark passed its first gambling law, effectively outlawing the practice throughout the country. But gambling’s popularity only grew in the 1800s. Not until 1895 were wagers on horse races and other sports became lawful and subject to taxation.
Even though Casino Marienlyst, the country’s first casino, opened to the public in 1902, gambling was still mostly enjoyed by the country’s upper class. In 1930, legislation was passed making it unlawful to promote or engage in gambling unless specifically authorized by a government agency.
Gambling became considerably more available with the advent of the internet, which caused significant shifts in Danish society. All types of gambling are now legal in Denmark thanks to the Gambling Act of 2012, but they must be licensed with the Danish Gambling Authority, Spillemyndigheden. However, lottery and some sports betting are still Danske Spil’s exclusive domain.
Legal Online Gambling in Denmark: The Essentials
When it comes to providing services in Denmark, operators must adhere to certain stringent rules. As a participant, though, you have access to virtually every kind of gaming. The most important facts to keep in mind regarding gaming in Denmark are as follows:
The Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden) is responsible for issuing licenses and enforcing regulations under the Gambling Act of 2012.
Gambling in casinos and on online poker sites are both perfectly legal in Denmark.
Danske Spil has a virtual stranglehold on the quick bingo games that are popular in the country.
Gambling on the lottery is legal, but again, Danske Spil has a stranglehold on the market.
Gambling on horse, dog, and pigeon races is legal in Denmark, and Danske Spil has a monopoly on the market.