Gambling Laws in Denmark

In the past, Denmark has had a reputation in the industry for being somewhat strict regarding licensing. Things have changed though and nowadays residents can enjoy a wide range of activities thanks to more accessible gambling laws.

Which Types of Gambling Are Legal in Denmark?

The main legislation covering gambling in Denmark is the 2012 Gambling Act. The Danish Gambling Authority, Spillemyndigheden, is tasked with licensing and regulation.

The legal situation concerning gambling is pretty strict for operators but quite open and varied for players, with most types of gambling being legal.

Land-Based and Online Casino Betting

Playing in casinos is legal and has been since the country's first land-based venue, Casino Marienlyst, opened in 1902. Despite the legality though there are very few casinos in Denmark, compared to other European countries. However, there are hundreds of slot halls scattered across the region.

Online casino gaming is also legal since the enactment of the 2012 Gambling Act. Residents have a huge choice of all the best gambling sites with 50+ operators being licensed to operate in the country.

Unlicensed platforms tend to be blocked by ISPs, and operators may be fined. The 2012 Gambling Act's ambiguous wording means that players who gamble for a living could also be prosecuted if caught playing at unlicensed sites.

Playing Poker With Real Money

Both offline and online poker have the green light in Denmark. Residents may also play games at home with friends, as long as no commercial profits are made. Poker is hugely popular in the country and available at all of the licensed casinos, though there aren't any standalone clubs.

Gambling on Bingo

Traditional offline bingo gaming is legal but it isn't popular. Since operators must hold a relatively expensive licence to offer these games, very few do so. Online bingo gambling is legal and there's a localised instant game which is well-played by all ages of residents. The only company permitted to offer it is Danske Spil.

Purchasing Lottery Tickets

Denmark has a national lotto where residents can get tickets for games held within the country and also Euromillions draws. Once again Danske Spil has a monopoly over this and is the only company permitted to offer lotto betting services. Playing online lottery games for real money is available to residents through the Danske Spil website. There are also keno-type games, raffles and various scratchcards available.

Gambling Socially and Online Crypto Casinos

Neither social gambling nor loot boxes are referred to in Denmark's gambling legislation. The same applies to skins gambling, which means these activities are currently unregulated.

Cryptocurrencies are legal in Denmark but are not officially recognised as currencies. This means that none of the land-based casinos accept virtual coins as payment. Residents can still play games online using cryptos via one of a few Danish-licensed international casinos. This offers third-party payment service providers for deposits and withdrawals.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Denmark?

Yes! It's legal for both in-person betting and online sports books. Danske Spil has the monopoly over horse, dog and pigeon racing though. But every other sports market can be offered under licence by Spillemyndigheden. However, due to the costs and taxes associated with this process, fewer than 20 operators are serving the region.

Fantasy sports betting isn't mentioned in the current Gambling Act and is therefore unregulated.

What's the Minimum Age for Gambling in Denmark?

This is 18 for all types of gambling whether it's online or in a licensed establishment.

Danish Gambling Tax Regulations: Do Winners Pay?

Costs for gambling operators are some of the highest in Europe. Casinos are charged 45%, slots halls pay 41%, online gambling sites must pay 28% and other forms of betting are subject to 20%. Even charity-related gambling is taxed at the rate of 17.5%. In all cases, tax is due on total revenue and that is on top of the 22% corporation tax.

For gamblers, winnings are classed as income so personal income tax rates are applied. This can be quite substantial and over 55% in some cases!

History of Gambling Laws in Denmark

The first piece of legislation that emerged was in 1753 when all types of gambling were banned outright. It wasn't until 1895 that some forms were legalised and taxable, including horse racing and sporting events.

The country's first casino, Casino Marienlyst, was opened in 1902, but gambling was still very much the domain of the wealthy and elite.

In 1930 laws were made stricter, with offering and participating in unauthorised gambling made illegal.

The arrival of the internet made gambling much more accessible, which resulted in a lot of changes in Denmark. The Gambling Act of 2012 made all activities legal under licence by Spillemyndigheden.

Key Facts

• The Danish Gambling Authority, Spillemyndigheden, is tasked with licensing and regulating operators under the 2012 Gambling Act.

• Casino and poker gaming (both offline and online) are legal.

• The country's popular instant bingo games are under the monopoly control of Danske Spil, while traditional bingo is rare.

• Lottery betting is legal but again under the monopoly control of Danske Spil.

• In-person and online sports betting is legal.