Danske Spil introduces player ID cards

It’s the second major Nordic operator to begin the shift to account-based play.

Denmark.- Danske Spil has begun rolling out branded ID cards which players will have to show at retail outlets that offer its Tips or Oddsets sports betting products.

The move signals a trend towards shifting to account-based play among the state-owned Nordic operators. Earlier this week Finland’s Veikkaus announced it was starting a trial of account-based play for its slot machines.

Danske Spil has branded its ID card as Sikkert Spil – Safe Play in Danish. It will be rolled out as a card and app across kiosks, supermarkets, petrol stations and other premises throughout the month, becoming obligatory at all 2,700 Danske Spil retail outlets from October 31. 

The move is intended as a means to control play and cash flows as a check on money laundering and match-fixing, as well as to prevent underage gambling.

Niels Erik Folmann, director of the Danske Licens Spil subsidiary, said: “Over the years, we have developed more and more measures to ensure that children and young people under the age of 18 do not have access to our sports betting products.

“But we must unfortunately admit that we have not fully succeeded in the task. It is still too easy for minors to play in the shops, and therefore we are now introducing Sikkert Spil.

“With Sikkert Spil, we register who plays in the shops so we can follow the money. It offers us completely new opportunities to combat both money laundering and match-fixing when we can track the cash all the way from the kiosk to the match.”

He called on other operators to follow Danske Spil’s lead in introducing account-based play.

He said: “As long as there are operators that make it possible to play anonymously, criminals will be able to fly under the radar. And at the same time, minors will still be able to play in shops.

“Therefore, we hope that it will be mandatory for all gambling providers who offer sports betting to introduce an ID card.”