Denmark Blocks 178 Illegal Gambling Sites in One Fell Swoop

Denmark has been actively looking to protect consumers, and the country has one of the best self-exclusion programs in the world. ROFUS has recently reported more than 60,000 registrations, as the Nordic nation continues to launch tailored marketing campaigns geared towards vulnerable groups.

More Websites Blocked in Denmark After Court Gives Go-Ahead

Now, the regulator has cracked down on illegal gambling sites – a process that has been going on since 2012, adding 178 domains to its blacklist. Denmark has been rather slow to move with blocking offshore gambling sites, but the latest is the largest number blocked in a single fell swoop. The blocking comes amid increased spending on gambling in the nation.

The blocking order was approved by the court in Frederiksberg, and at the same time marks an important step forward while also acknowledging the legal challenges with blocking websites, be that even offshore gambling operators.

Significantly, this is the single biggest blocking order issued and honored in Denmark, and it adds to a sprawling list of blocked domains. Yet, these efforts, while sustained, are second-fiddle to the regulator’s far more efficient strategy, achieving strong channelization and ensuring that vulnerable consumers are protected.

Commenting on the recent achievement, however, the regulator’s director, Anders Dorph, said:

“It is, of course, frustrating that illegal gambling sites targeting Danes continue to appear. But I am very pleased that we have tools to find the sites and that we succeed in blocking them.”  

Anders continued: “In 2023, we took the initiative to have the websites blocked twice a year instead of once. This means we can more quickly close access to sites that do not have a Danish licence and where consumers do not have the same protection as with gaming providers that have a licence.”

Blocking Websites Is Not Denmark’s Most Efficient Strategy

Blocking websites is not a measure that Denmark has arrived at easily, as the country has been looking to first approach websites that it has deemed to have been operating without the necessary licenses.

Denmark has seen a boom in its online gambling numbers, as attested to by the increase in ROFUS signage. While the country is more focused on building stronger consumer protections and making the local market more attractive, the regulator has not fully ruled out taking the fight offshore.