Danish Gambling Authority Shuts Down 79 Unlicensed Sites

At the end of August, a court decision allowed Denmark’s Gambling Authority (DGA), Spillemyndigheden, to block 79 illegal gambling websites. 

Danish Gambling Regulator Blocks 162 Illegal Gambling Sites in 2024

The recently blocked unlicensed gambling websites included online casinos, sports betting, and skin betting platforms that targeted Danish citizens even kids and young adults. This move brings the total number of blocked websites in 2024 to 162, the most in a single year since the Danish regulator started its crackdown in 2012. To date the DGA, has blocked 438 websites in total.

The DGA stressed how important it is to keep young users safe. The regulator has managed to do this by shutting down websites that push skin betting. This is a kind of gambling where players use fake money like “Robux” from the popular game Roblox to make bets and win prizes. 

Anders Dorph, who’s in charge of the DGA, pointed out the dangers these sites could bring to kids: “We pay particular attention to this new type of site. Roblox is a game that is very popular among children and young people under the age of 18. Our children should not be introduced to gambling when they play video games, so I am very pleased that we have blocked access to these sites.”

Besides shutting down unauthorized gambling websites, the DGA took steps to make sure players know the risks of using illegal gambling sites. When people try to visit these blocked websites, they are sent to a warning page. This page tells them the site is not legal and does not have the safeguards that licensed operators provide. Dorph said some players might try to get around the blocks, so the warnings must be easy to understand and find.

Expanded Telecom Involvement Boosts DGA’s Efforts to Curb Illegal Gambling

Additionally, the latest round of blocks saw three telecom companies that are not members of the Teleindustrien trade group taking part. Their involvement widens the scope of the DGA’s actions making sure more Danish users are shielded from unlawful gambling websites.

Dorph was pleased with this broader teamwork pointing out that it helps protect even more people from the dangers of using unregulated sites.

What is more, the DGA keeps an eye on the growing problem of gambling addiction in young adults. Numbers from Denmark’s gambling helpline StopSpillet, show that 41% of calls since 2019 have come from people 25 or younger pointing to a concerning trend in youth gambling. In the same way, the country’s self-exclusion register ROFUS, reports that 41% of its users are under 30 further highlighting the need to consider strict rules and preventive steps.