DGA License

Gambling Regulation in Denmark

In Denmark, gambling activities and operators are overseen by the state authority Spillemyndigheden (the Danish Gambling Authority, DGA), which became an independent regulator in 2012. Since then, its reach has covered the entire gambling market, including both online and land-based segments: casinos, bookmakers, lotteries, bingo, and slot machines. Any legal gambling activity requires a license issued by Spillemyndigheden. The authority is responsible for drafting legislation, overseeing financial flows, conducting security audits, and continuously updating technological standards. Denmark also has a state-owned lottery operator, Danske Spil, while all other commercial operators are licensed and supervised separately.

Licensing System and Oversight

From 2025, all operators and entertainment providers are required to obtain separate licenses for each product or platform, ranging from traditional slots and card games to innovative VR and mobile solutions. Any game content developer must undergo thorough certification. The regulator assesses security standards, player protection measures, quality of services, and the transparency of all integrations. Operators may also apply for multiple licenses, covering sports betting, online casinos, bingo, lotteries, tote boards, and aggregator services.

Each type of activity requires a separate application. For example, an operator may apply for a license to operate an online casino and, at the same time, for sports betting services. All technical infrastructure, software, servers, and data collection mechanisms are subject to strict audits. Software certification is conducted either under Spillemyndigheden standards or in accordance with international GLI or BMM norms. All developers and platforms are added to the Games Register, where players can verify the status of any company.

By the end of October 2025, more than 60 new licenses had already been issued, and the total number of suppliers in the register exceeded 400 entries. The growth in applications is driven by the expansion of mobile solutions, VR gaming, and increasing interest from foreign companies in the Danish market.

License Obtainment Procedure

The procedure consists of several stages. First, the applicant selects the desired type of license and prepares a set of documents that covers: information regarding the owners, management structure, sources of capital, and a technical description of the platform. This is followed by online registration on the Spillemyndigheden portal. After that, the application is submitted and a non-refundable fee is paid (from DKK 285,200 for an online casino). Each project undergoes an audit of its IT infrastructure and the testing of payment systems. Operators are required to implement self-limitation protocols, AML* and KYC* procedures, and ensure transparency of financial reporting.

*DKK — Danish krone = €0.13

*AML, KYC — procedures aimed at combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and other forms of financial fraud.

Platform servers must be physically located in Denmark or controlled through agreements with local banks and data centres. Services that offer multiple types of gambling are subject to additional stages of auditing, including checks on fund segregation, banking operations, and process automation. All companies undergo interviews with the regulator’s security department.

Obtaining a license takes between 3 and 6 months for most operators. Particular attention is paid to integrity* — transparency of the ownership structure, sources of investment, and business history. The regulator is tightening reporting requirements and introducing new digital services to track issues and player complaints.

Post Licensing Oversight and Operator Responsibilities

A license holder is required to undergo regular audits and publish quarterly and annual reports covering: the fairness of the RNG, technical parameters of the RTP, and fraud prevention measures. Each operator must inform players about self-exclusion options and addiction prevention. All deposit funds are held separately from corporate funds and are protected in the event of the company’s bankruptcy.

Players have access to support hotlines, automated filters, chatbots, and electronic self-exclusion services. Any user can quickly submit a complaint via the Spillemyndigheden portal. All complaints are processed within no more than 14 days.

Internal self-exclusion mechanisms are a central feature of the system. As of June 2025, the ROFUS* register included more than 60,000 users. Players can block access to any licensed platforms for periods ranging from one day to one year, and major operators are required to support information campaigns aimed at groups that are at risk.

*ROFUS (Register Over Frivilligt Udelukkede Spillere) — the Danish state register that allows individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from participating in gambling.

 Advertising, Market Standards, and User Trends

Advertising regulations have become particularly strict in recent years. In October 2025, a law came into force banning gambling advertising during and immediately after sports broadcasts. Public figures, bloggers, and politicians are prohibited from promoting gambling brands. Violations of advertising rules can result in heavy fines — up to 25% of the annual turnover — or the revocation of a license. Operators are also required to apply age-based filtering to outdoor advertising; for example, gambling ads are completely prohibited near schools.

The total turnover of Denmark’s gambling industry grew by 1.4% in 2025. The online casino segment holds the leading position, having expanded by 39.9% within the year*. Most gambling activity is mobile-based: up to 70% of all transactions are carried out on smartphones and tablets. New startups, VR solutions, and integration with global payment platforms are making the market particularly dynamic.

*The apparent discrepancy in the figures is due to declines or stagnation in other sectors, such as sports betting and land-based gaming machines.

Denmark continues to strengthen gambling harm prevention programmes, including the “Take it easy with ROFUS” campaign, educational platforms, and automated filters for younger players. In the areas of self-exclusion and support hotlines, Denmark is a leading EU country both in the number of requests and in the deployment of digital services. Preventive advertising is openly promoted, and state-run platforms actively educate users on responsible online behaviour.

*“Take it easy with ROFUS” — a phrase used as part of a Danish campaign promoting a responsible approach to gambling.

Conclusion

The Danish gambling license is one of the most technologically advanced and transparent models in Europe. Strict standards, mandatory regular audits, automated compliance, strong user support, and digital protection are the key strengths of the market. Spillemyndigheden sets a high benchmark for responsibility and transparency, while operators benefit from seamless integration, business development opportunities, and the ability to offer customers a safe and reliable service. All of this makes the Danish licensing system a benchmark for the EU market and a guarantee of trust for players, software providers, and investors.