Most Popular Bookies in Denmark

Most betting sites usually lure punters by running marketing campaigns and offering bonuses and other rewards to punters. After considering the abovementioned factors, punters can narrow down their lists even further by choosing sites with the 'best' incentives. To get the best deal, they should be keen to examine the wagering requirements and bonus' conditions over the amount.

As early as 1973, most forms of gambling, except for the state lottery, were banned in Denmark under the leadership of King Frederick. It was not until the 19th century that regulated gambling was re-introduced. That came after a long period of illegal betting thriving in the underground gambling industry. The introduction of regulated gambling led to the opening of a few land-based casinos. For example, the Casino Marienlyst, one of the oldest casinos in Europe still in service, was opened in 1902.

By 1990, there was only one casino in the country, with a limited clientele, the society's elite. A new law was passed in 1990, which gave the Danish Ministry of Justice the authority to license more casinos. Still, a monopoly setup was placed for some casino games. Danske Spil, 80% of which was owned by the government, enjoyed a monopoly for the better part. However, the European Union pressured the Danish government to reconsider its stance on gambling. It was not until 2010 that the Danish Gaming Act was passed and later took effect in 2012. The Gambling Act quenched Danske Spil's monopoly and legalized online gambling.

Betting nowadays in Denmark

Sports betting is currently the most popular type of gambling in Denmark. Statistics indicate that more than 50% of Danish punters bet on sports. That primarily is because sports are a fabric of the Danish culture. Most Danes enjoy watching mainstream sports, helping them know quite a lot about the sports. Familiarity with any sport comes in handy when betting as it enables players to make informed decisions, thus increasing their chances of winning.

Online sports betting accounts for more than 70% of wagers placed by Danish punters. A majority of the bettors prefer online play for the numerous benefits online sports casinos have over their land-based counterparts. For example, punters can access online betting sites easily and at any time without worrying about commuting, dressing codes, and other limiting factors associated with land-based casinos. Online betting casinos also provide punters with numerous betting options, covering nearly all mainstream sports played globally. Punters can access betting sites based in different countries and continents to access local games in those places.

The first significant historical change in the Denmark gambling industry was in 1753, when King Frederick prohibited gambling. That brought gambling to a grinding halt, affecting the gambling industry's development. Many experts believe the Danish gambling industry would have been more developed had it been regulated throughout history.

Another significant historical milestone in the Danish gambling industry occurred in 2010. That was when the laws changed to make online betting legal. Online gambling took over the biggest share of the Danish gambling industry less than two years after its legalization. That was especially the case with sports betting, which is popular among Danish punters.

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.

Debit and Credit Cards

Debit and credit cards debit and credit cards are the top preference of payment methods among Danish punters. Debit cards are particularly more popular than credit cards in Denmark, which is quite unusual in many other countries. Danish punters prefer using banking cards such as MasterCard, Visa, and Maestro for their ease of making payments, which mainly applies to deposits. Unfortunately, punters cannot withdraw via banking cards.

Direct Bank Transfer

Most Danish banks offer online banking services, which enable instant direct bank transfers. Direct bank transfers allow punters to make deposits directly from their bank accounts without intermediaries. Most banks also have relatively higher deposit limits than many other options, making direct bank transfers a great payment method for high rollers. Punters interested in easy financial record-keeping also prefer direct bank transfers as the transaction records are accessible from one place irrespective of how funds from the account are used.

E-Wallets

Nearly all mainstream sports betting sites accept e-wallet payments, with Neteller, ecoPayz, and Skill topping the popularity chart. The best thing about e-wallets is that they can be used for deposits and withdrawals, making them a suitable choice for many. E-wallets are also quite safe to use, provided the users take all the necessary precautions, such as avoiding using public networks when making payments. There are also numerous e-wallets to suit the needs and preferences of most Danish punters.

Other notable mentions include Nordea, Klarna, and Virtual Entroay Card.