Denmark eyes gambling reforms, including possible ad restrictions
Measures may include a ‘whistle-to-whistle ban’ on gambling advertising.
Denmark.- The minister for taxation, Rasmus Stoklund, has said that the Danish government will look at reforming gambling regulations amid concerns about problem gambling. This could include potential advertising restrictions.
Stoklund said that around 500,000 people in Denmark experience gambling-related problems to some degree, while over 60,000 people have registered with ROFUS, the national self-exclusion system.
He criticised aggressive marketing during televised sports events, and suggested that Denmark could introduce a ‘whistle-to-whistle ban’ on gambling advertising during sports. This would likely be similar to the ban introduced voluntarily in the UK and recently proposed in France by the ANJ.
Prevention and treatment services will also be a focus of the reforms. Stoklund wants to increase funding and improve conditions for treatment centres to provide better support and more effective and targeted tools for people who already have problems with gambling.
The minister suggested that the gaming industry had expressed a willingness to work with parliament to address the issue.
“I am very much looking forward to starting the gambling negotiations with parties in the Danish Parliament. They have been required for a long time, because far too many Danes have problems with gambling, and some suffer from addiction” Stoklund said.
“This can have very serious consequences for those who gamble, but also for their families, friends, and relationships with those around them. It is a growing problem for which we must now find good political solutions to together.”
“Fortunately, we agree that development must be slowed down. That is why I am pleased that I can now call on the parties in the Danish Parliament to negotiate so that we can jointly find long-term solutions to the problems,” he added.
