The Danish Gambling Authority (DGA) has obtained court orders to block access to 49 websites that offer online gambling options to Danish consumers without a licence.The blocked websites primarily feature a range of traditional casino games such as roulette, online slots, poker and betting.The most high-profile company in breach was Stake.com. Notably, 13 of the blocked websites fall under the category of “skin betting” sites, which involve gambling with virtual items from computer games.
Repeated action
It was the ninth time the DGA has taken legal action to shut down unregulated websites.The decision came from the Copenhagen City Court, which ruled in favour of the DGA in all 49 cases presented before it.The DGA has been taking actions against unregulated websites targeting Danish players since the partial liberalisation of the gambling market in Denmark back in 2012. A total of 276 illegal sites have been blocked since then.“It is a very important task for the Danish Gambling Authority to ensure that Danes are not exposed to gambling that is offered illegally in Denmark and that does not comply with the requirements for consumer protection, among other things, set out in the gambling legislation,” commented DGA director Anders Dorph.“At the same time, we must ensure that the gambling operators who have a licence to offer gambling in Denmark can operate on the Danish market without unfair competition from providers who do not have to live up to Danish requirements,” he added.
Blocking now twice a year
The authority also revealed a new strategy of blocking unregulated gambling websites twice a year, compared to the previous annual blockages.This proactive approach is designed to reduce the duration during which illegal sites can operate within Denmark.
To identify unregulated websites, the DGA employs a combination of automated searches and investigations prompted by reports from concerned individuals and businesses.
When an illegal gambling website is detected, the authority contacts the operators, urging them to cease their unlawful activities.If they do not comply, the DGA seeks a court order to have the websites blocked by Danish Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
In Denmark, offering gambling services without proper licensing from the DGA is strictly prohibited. This rule also extends to foreign operators who target the Danish market.
Several factors determine if a game or gambling website is aimed at the Danish audience, including the presence of the Danish language and currency, payment methods limited to Denmark and Danish customer service.All licensed gambling operators in Denmark are required to display the DGA’s label on their websites and marketing materials.
This measure enables players to easily verify the legitimacy of a gambling website’s operations within Denmark.
