The Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden) has successfully secured a court ruling to block 178 illegal gambling websites—the largest single batch blocked since the regulator began enforcement in 2012.
Regulatory Action: Court-Backed Blocking of Illegal Operators
The Frederiksberg Court approved Spillemyndigheden’s request to block these non-licensed operators, marking a significant escalation in Denmark’s campaign against offshore and unregulated gambling. This effort aims to ensure that all gambling targeting Danish consumers complies with the Danish Gambling Act, offering the necessary consumer protections and responsible gambling measures that licensed platforms are legally bound to follow.
According to Anders Dorph, Director of Spillemyndigheden, the volume of new illegal operators is “frustrating,” but he remains optimistic due to the effectiveness of the tools now at their disposal. The Authority’s decision in 2023 to shift from annual to biannual blocking efforts has allowed for quicker identification and enforcement actions against rogue sites.
“We can now more quickly shut down access to sites that do not have a Danish licence,” Dorph noted, emphasizing the importance of licensed operations in maintaining fair and transparent gambling services.
Enforcement Strategy: From Outreach to Internet Censorship
Spillemyndigheden follows a multi-step enforcement process. First, illegal operators are contacted and asked to voluntarily cease operations in Denmark. If non-compliant, the Authority works with internet service providers (ISPs), who then petition the courts for permission to block access.
Since the strategy was implemented in 2012, a total of 616 illegal sites have been blocked, with the latest batch marking a significant surge in enforcement activity.
Consumer Protection: ROFUS Milestone Reached
The crackdown complements the Authority’s broader responsible gambling strategy. The self-exclusion platform ROFUS (Register of Voluntarily Excluded Players) reached 60,000 registered users this week, underscoring growing public awareness and engagement with harm-reduction tools.
The rise in illegal platforms, however, poses a threat to these protections. Offshore sites often lack features like deposit limits, responsible gambling messaging, and identity checks—leaving vulnerable users exposed to addiction and fraud.
Broader Context: A European Regulatory Model
Denmark is widely seen as a regulatory role model in Europe, with its channelization rate—the percentage of gamblers using licensed operators—among the highest on the continent. Still, the evolving digital landscape and the proliferation of grey-market sites challenge even the most well-structured frameworks.
The blocking initiative reflects a broader European trend. Countries like the Netherlands, France, and Sweden have also stepped up their enforcement efforts through website blocking, domain seizures, and stricter licensing criteria.
Final Thoughts
As Denmark sets new records in combating illegal gambling, Spillemyndigheden is sending a clear message: the regulated market is the only legitimate one. Through faster enforcement, judicial cooperation, and public engagement tools like ROFUS, the Danish model continues to evolve—ensuring that consumers are protected and the gambling ecosystem remains transparent and fair.
