• Denmark issues the single-largest blocking order against the unlicensed sector
• The blocking order is now part of intensifying efforts to keep offshore operators away from the regulated market
• Denmark continues to double down on building a viable model at home that outmatches any non-market-regulated offer

Denmark has moved forward with one of its most significant blocking orders against the unlicensed gambling sector to date, with the gambling regulator, Spillemyndigheden, receiving the go-ahead from the court in Frederiksberg.

Blocking websites is the tip of the iceberg for regulators in Denmark

Now, the regulator has moved forward with blocking 178 websites that it had identified as offering unlicensed gambling offer to local players, which is prohibited under current laws. The gambling regulator has so far blocked 616 websites since the blocking list was introduced in 2012.

Denmark has not prioritized blocking operators that it deems to be operating illegally at the same rates that some other jurisdictions have. Nevertheless, the country has maintained a consistent approach towards the sector.

Spillemyndigheden Director Anders Dorph has commented on the results and what has been achieved so far:

"It is, of course, frustrating that illegal gambling sites continue to appear targeting Danes. But I am very pleased that we have tools to find the sites and that we manage to get them blocked. In 2023, we took the initiative to have the sites blocked twice a year instead of once.

This means that we can more quickly shut down access to sites that do not have a Danish licence and where consumers do not have the same protection as those gambling operators who have a licence from the Danish Gambling Authority."

The latest blocking of 178 websites is the largest number of websites blocked in a single instant, which could be the result of coincidence or a deliberate ramping of the regulatory efforts. Since 2024, the regulator has been bringing the matter of blocking websites it deems illegal twice annually, up from once previously.

Matej Novota, Casino Guru's Head of Casino Research, had this to add, commenting on the latest blocking order: "Denmark’s move to bring blocking orders before the courts is commendable, though not without caveats. Website blocking can be somewhat effective, but black market operators rarely comply. Those that actively target Danish players tend to shift domains to bypass restrictions. Still, Denmark is on the right path, protecting its regulated market, and tackling offshore threats. The fact that the regulator is now prepared to enact such restrictions twice a year clearly demonstrates an understanding of the challenge in addressing offshore websites."

Focus on making gambling safer at home

Denmark has focused on protecting vulnerable gamblers, such as young players between 18 and 24, through targeting campaigns that educate them about the dangers of gambling and excess, and also by ensuring that gambling ads do not target such groups in the first place.

At the same time, ROFUS, the national self-exclusion program, has hit 60,000 registrations, with 20,000 new registrations in the past two years.

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