Gambling Regulator in Denmark
The Danish Gambling Authority, also known as Spillemyndigheden, is the national authority responsible for regulating the gambling industry in Denmark. Launched in 2000, this independent government agency is under the Ministry of Taxation and is based in Odense.
Before online gambling was legalised in 2010, the body solely regulated slot machines in gaming halls, physical casinos, restaurants, kiosks, etc. It also monitored and regulated several physical casinos within Denmark and those under Danske Spil, a state-owned gambling corporation. Later, its scope increased to include charitable lotteries and bingo games.
But since the Danish gambling laws came into force in 2012, the body has become independent and has additional responsibilities. They include:
- Issuing licences to online and physical casinos as well as lotteries.
- Researching the Danish gambling market.
- Encouraging responsible gambling by providing the relevant tools, including a self-exclusion register known as ROFUS.
- Overseeing the safety and fairness of games offered to Danes.
- Protecting the rights of Danish gamblers.
- Ensuring overall compliance of all gambling operators.
To get a licence from the Danish Gambling Authority, you must fill out an application form. But that’s only possible after the operator confirms they’ve met the criteria. This usually revolves around proving financial stability and meeting compliance requirements.
After applying, you’ll also have to pay the standard DKK 315,300 application fee for an online casino or online betting licence. But if you want both, the fee is DKK 414,400.
Next, the authority will do background checks to ensure your suitability to operate a casino. The DGA will also review the financial status of the applicant as well as technical compliance.
Once the body is satisfied with the operator’s qualification, they’ll issue the licence.
Notably, Danes can play on online casinos licensed by other gambling authorities. In particular, the DGA signed an MoU with the Malta Gambling Authority (MGA), meaning players can freely play on offshore gambling sites with MGA licences.
And the list of acceptable sites doesn’t end there. Danes can also play in casinos with licences from the UKGC, Curacao eGaming Authority, Isle of Man, Gibraltar Gambling Commission, etc.