In Denmark, the fight against illegal gambling operations remains steadfast as the national gambling regulator, Spillemyndigheden, revealed details of ongoing efforts to tackle unauthorized gaming activities throughout the country in 2023, expressing concerns across both online and land-based sectors.
In a significant development, Spillemyndigheden identified Stake.com as the most prominent operator to be blocked last year following a successful court order. This action was part of a broader initiative against 49 websites that were found to be operating illegally within Danish borders.
The authority announced its intention to sustain DNS blocking measures into 2024, and another related case is expected to reach conclusion within the year. Measuring the exact impact of DNS blocking poses a challenge, as not all targeted sites were continually blocked throughout the year. However, based on data gathered up to the end of 2022, there was a notable decrease in visits to the 227 blocked sites — from 15.8 million hits in 2017 to 1.8 million in 2023. Despite an 89% reduction, this indicates a persistent issue where some users continue to circumvent DNS blocking, accessing illegal gambling platforms.
The report also sheds light on emerging threats within the Danish gambling landscape. One such concern involves the use of social media by streamers and influencers to promote unlicensed gambling websites. For the first time in 2023, a streamer was reported for contravening advertising regulations concerning illegal gambling sites, having been repeatedly warned prior to the offense.
Subsequently, the individual in question faced the legal consequences: “The police’s assessment was that the streamer had violated the Gaming Act, and the streamer therefore received a fine,” detailed the regulator. “It is the first time we have reported a streamer in a case of illegal dissemination of games. We have since reported two further cases to the police regarding streamers who have disseminated and advertised games without permission.”
To combat such threats more effectively, Spillemyndigheden is strengthening its cooperation with various media platforms. The regulator has forged collaborative ties with Facebook to address illegal gambling activity and is also partnering with Apple and Google to eliminate unauthorized gambling applications from the App Store and Google Play.
In an effort to educate the public about the risks and illegality of unlicensed gambling, the authority has directed considerable effort toward youth outreach programs throughout 2023, following a study that found 15% of young Danes aged 15-17 had engaged in gambling activities, despite the legal gambling age being 18.
The concern for unregulated gambling extends to physical venues as well. In 2023, 34 inspections were conducted at Danish pubs, leading to two police reports concerning unauthorized gambling operations and inquiries into 17 gaming venues for illegally hosting poker, gaming machines, or betting terminals. Furthermore, the regulatory body continues to monitor illegal non-profit lotteries, supervising 126 associations running bingo or banko games, culminating in 38 reports against illegal non-profit lottery activities.
Spillemyndigheden’s comprehensive report showcases the regulator’s unwavering commitment to eradicating illegal gambling in Denmark. As these vigilant efforts progress, the overall health and integrity of the Danish gambling industry are set to be preserved, ensuring a secure and regulated environment for all participants.
