Online gambling is categorized into betting, lottery, casino, and skill/social games. Danish laws specify the games and events that gambling operators can offer, the requirements they must fulfill, and possible penalties for flaunted regulations.
For example, the laws permit sports betting, subject to specified licensing requirements. However, it does not allow betting on blood sports, such as bullfighting, as such sports are considered animal cruelty. Casino operators require different licenses for any of the four gambling categories.
Legislative Framework
As mentioned earlier, the Danish Gambling Act is the primary legislation for gambling in Denmark. However, the Act is supplemented by several specific executive orders. There are 18 executive orders covering a range of sectors, including reimbursement rates for certain games, non-profit lotteries, provision of online betting, partial exemptions, reporting to the state prosecutor, and publication of information about politically exposed persons.
All forms of gambling in Denmark are subjected to the general rules on marketing and the Anti-Money Laundering Act. Gambling operators are also subjected to financial regulation regarding payment services and consumer protection regarding applicable information requirements towards punters.
Key offenses
All possible violations defined by the Danish Gambling Act are punishable as per the prescribed penalties listed in article 3.6 of the Act. Some of the possible offenses are violations of marketing provisions, provision of gambling services without valid licenses, violation of the licenses' terms and conditions, and violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
The penalties for any offense may include warnings, monetary fines, or up to two years imprisonment. The penalty given depends on the offense committed. In most mild cases, offenders usually get away with a stern warning and order to correct the offense.
When the penalty involves a fine, the Danish Gaming Authority will hand over the case to the Danish police. The police then issue a penalty notice, which the offender can accept or opt to resolve the matter in a law court. The Danish Gaming Authority can revoke the offenders' licenses in case of more serious or repeat offenses.
License availability
Casino operators can apply for licenses, provided they have the required qualifications and fulfill the requirements stipulated in article 4.6 of the Danish Gambling Act. They must also pay the relevant license application fees before processing begins. The duration of licenses usually varies depending on several factors. For example, the revenue-restricted license is valid for one year, and a regular gambling license can last for up to five years.