Denmark Goes After 98 Illegal Gambling Websites, Polymarket Blocked
- The Danish Gambling Authority has carried out a DNS block against 98 websites, following a court order
- On the list is the US prediction market platform, Polymarket, which has been blocked in a new European jurisdiction
- Overall, the regulator has been going slowly against illegal gambling services, with 870 websites blocked since 2012
Denmark continues to spearhead its efforts against the unregulated gambling sector, with the country now moving to block 98 websites that it deems to be offering unauthorized games of chance to citizens.
Danish Gambling Authority blocks more illegal gambling websites
Through a decision of the court in Frederiksberg on July 8, 2026, the Danish Gambling Authority has finally been granted the right to restrict the 98 websites in question, among which is US prediction market platform Polymarket.
The process has taken some time to formalize, as the gambling watchdog currently relies on authorization from the courts to move forward with blocking any websites that it suspects or believes to be illegal.
Since 2012, when the first blocks were issued, a total of 870 websites have been blocked. This approach has found its critics, with observers arguing that blocking dozens of domains does little to curb illegal gambling operations as mirror domains appear quickly.
The Danish Gambling Authority is also meticulous in its approach to restricting gambling websites, first issuing a cease-and-desist letter asking suspected operators to cut out their operations voluntarily.
If this fails, the regulator seeks court authorization to direct telecommunications providers to implement a technical measure that allows them to block the websites outright via a DNS block.
Websites Intentionally Targeted Danish Citizens
The latest 98 websites blocked, the regulator said, were specifically targeting Danish citizens by offering numerous tailored aspects of their offer, including Danish language, Danish currency, the Danish flag, and marketing materials specifically targeting residents.
Other aspects of the offer of those illegal gambling websites that proved they were purpose-built to target Denmark were native payment options, Danish customer service, and more.
The regulator issued a reminder that the only websites authorized to offer games of chance in the country are those that carry the regulator’s license mark. The watchdog still advises consumers to also check with the registry and see if a website is indeed licensed.
Stoyan is a senior editor and writer with over 10 years of expertise in iGaming and eSports. By combining deep historical context with a focus on emerging digital trends, he provides the Gambling News audience with authoritative reporting and a unique editorial perspective.