Denmark Online Gambling: What Spillemyndigheden Regulates

Denmark opened its gambling market to private operators in 2012. Today, there is a licensing system overseen by Spillemyndigheden, the national regulatory authority. We at CasinoAlpha have put together a guide with all the important information about obtaining licenses and the rules that apply to operators. Plus, you’ll learn how to self-exclude. Are you ready?

• Danish Gambling Regulation: Key Facts
• Licensing History: From State Monopoly to Competitive Market
• Who Regulates Gambling in Denmark: Spillemyndigheden
• Player Protection: Deposit Limits and Responsible Gambling Tools
• Player Protection Under Denmark’s Regulatory Approach
• The Bottom Line for Players
• How We Verified This

Danish Gambling Regulation: Key Facts

Licensing History: From State Monopoly to Competitive Market

Until 2012, the gambling market in Denmark was controlled by Danske Spil, a state-owned operator that offered both lottery games and other forms of gambling. There were also a few landbased casinos, but the system began to be challenged in 2008. The Court of Justice of the European Union began examining wether the state monopoly was in line with European rules.

Discussions took place and the Danish Parliament decided to allow private operators access to certain segments of the market. The law took effect in 2012 and we can see how it has completely transformed the way the industry operates. However, we also see that Denmark has not completely abandoned the state monopoly. Traditional lotteries and Danske Spil gaming machines remain.

So we can say that the 2012 reform was a partial liberalization. In practice, the market has not opened up completely. Since then, both Danish and foreign companies have been able to apply for a license to offer Denmark online casino games or sports betting. If you’re wondering, the online casino license covers games such as roulette, baccarat, blackjack, slots, punto banco, and poker.

Traditional lotteries, where you pay to participate in a drawing, remain, with most reserved for state-owned operators or those affiliated with the state, such as Danske Spil.

Who handles licensing?

Spillemyndigheden is the Danish authority that regulates gambling. If a casino wants to obtain a license, it must go through an evaluation process. During this process, several aspects are analyzed, such as the company’s ownership structure, financial stability, and even the protective measures in place for you, the player.

Once a casino receives a license, it is valid for 5 years. After it expires, the casino must apply for a new license and go through the entire verification process again.

Who Regulates Gambling in Denmark: Spillemyndigheden

The Danish Gambling Authority issues licenses and oversees casinos in Denmark. It is an independent authority and operates under the Ministry of Taxation. Although it was established in 2000, at that time it was merely a department within the same ministry. We looked through various articles and found no indication that Spillemyndigheden had been integrated into the Danish Business Authority or any other institution. So, it’s a separate authority, right?

Although it may seem simple at first glance, it has broad responsibilities. If a casino submits a license application, Spillemyndigheden reviews it. It also monitors compliance with advertising regulations and manages the ROFUS registry, where players can request selfexclusion. It even takes action against casinos that attempt to operate illegally, without a license.

There are many casinos that hold Danish licenses, such as Danske Spil. Or private brands like LeoVegas and Unibet. Please note that this is not a recommendation on our part, we’ve simply mentioned a few casinos that operate legally.

Player Protection: Deposit Limits and Responsible Gambling Tools

Every Denmark online casino or sports betting operator must ask new players to set a deposit limit before making their first deposit and placing their first bet. Here, you choose whether it’s a daily, weekly, or monthly limit.

So, there isn’t a fixed amount for all players. Everyone sets their own limit. This approach differs from that of other countries. In Germany, there’s a single monthly limit for all casinos.

The rules don’t stop there, because casinos must also provide you with tools to control your losses and the time you spend on the casino’s website. They should also make sure that bonuses or advertisements don’t cause you to spend more money than you intended.

What you need to know about ROFUS?

• Every player is checked against the ROFUS registry before being allowed to participate in gambling.
• In case you didn’t know, ROFUS stands for Register Over Frivilligt Udelukkede Spillere. It’s the registry of people who have self-excluded from gambling.
• You can register using MitID.
• The self-exclusion period can range from 24 hours to permanent self-exclusion. You choose!
• You cannot end your self-exclusion early. If you chose 6 months, then you’ll be self-excluded for 6 months.
• However, if you chose permanent self exclusion, at least one year must pass before you can request to have it lifted.
• If you’ve registered with ROFUS, your access to all licensed operators in Denmark both online and in person, is blocked.

Player Protection Under Denmark’s Regulatory Approach

Denmark is often compared to other Nordic countries, and this is due to its strict player protection regulations. So, we’re not just talking about reputation, but about concrete measures applied to gambling operators.

All online casino and sports betting operators pay a 28% tax on gross revenue generated from gambling. What can we infer from this? The tax rate is significantly higher than in Malta or even Gibraltar, but remains lower than in the United Kingdom, where the tax rate reaches 40%.

Separately, bets on horse racing are taxed at a lower rate of 6%. This is how the country supports its local horse racing industry. In addition to this tax, a contribution calculated based on wagers is also applied, providing additional funds for this sector.

As for players, all winnings are tax-exempt as long as you play at a licensed casino. Offshore casinos do not receive the same treatment.

We can see how all these measures complement one another. Player protection isn’t limited to simple written rules, it’s also supported by concrete measures, such as the self-exclusion registry.

The Bottom Line for Players

If you choose a casino licensed by Spillemyndigheden, you’ll have deposit limits and can self-exclude through the ROFUS registry.

However, these measures cannot eliminate the financial risks associated with gambling. We want to remind you that gambling should be viewed solely as a form of entertainment, not as a way to make money.

If you set deposit or loss limits, it will be easier for you to manage your budget. However, if you feel that gambling is beginning to affect your life, contact ROFUS to self-exclude. Additionally, you can contact StopSpillet, Denmark’s national service that offers support and counseling for gambling-related issues.

How We Verified This

We, the experts at CasinoAlpha, consulted the official Spillemyndigheden website and reviewed the institution’s structure along with its licensing regulations. We also analyzed ROFUS to better understand exactly how the self-exclusion system works, as well as information regarding the 2012 market liberalization.

There was also some information that we could not confirm through official sources, so we chose to exclude it rather than mislead you with false information.

You should always view gambling as a form of entertainment, not as a way to make money. If it has become a burden for you and is starting to affect your financial situation, the CasinoAlpha team encourages you to seek help and self-exclude.

We’ve written this article for informational purposes only, so it does not constitute legal or financial advice. Gambling laws can change at any time, so it’s best to check for yourself whether the information is still current.