Denmark blocks record number of unlicensed gambling sites 

Danish authorities blocked a record 55 unlicensed online gambling sites in 2021.

Denmark.- The Danish gaming regulator Spillemyndigheden has revealed that it blocked a record number of unlicensed gambling websites in 2021. It also said that channelisation to the regulated sector had reached a record high.

Spillemyndigheden blocked 55 domains in 2021, over three times the number blocked in 2020. It takes the total number of unlicensed gambling sites blocked since 2012 to 145.

The regulator said it carried out six searches for illegal websites with the Danish Tax Agency’s anti-fraud unit. Those found to be breaching rules were blocked via City Court orders.

There was a big jump in the number of requests to investigate illegal sites, rising from 49 in 2019 to 160 in 2020 and 210 in 2021. The regulator said police had also received more reports (31 compared to 16 in 2020).

The regulator also cited figures from H2 Gambling Capital showing that Denmark’s channelisation rate to the regulated market in 2021 was 90 per cent, up from 88 per cent. The UK, Italy and the Czech Republic are the only countries in Europe to have a higher rate.

The regulator said: “An increase in the number of websites identified, requests and internet blockings may indicate that the illegal market is expanding. However, the Danish Gambling Authority maintains our assessment that the illegal gambling market in Denmark is limited and the increase expresses the Authority’s increased focus on illegal gambling.”

Earlier this month, the Danish government announced new rules on match fixing and on charity lotteries. Spillemyndigheden will have more power to tackle match fixing and betting operators will have to report signs of corruption in sport.

Meanwhile, Spillemyndigheden has issued a raft of warnings against Kindred’s Unibet for breaching Denmark’s anti-money laundering regulations.