Denmark’s Gambling Authority, Spillemyndigheden, has announced that it has blocked 79 illegal gambling websites that were targeting the Danish market.
According to its announcement, a court ruled in favor of the regulator on August, 22nd 2024.
This now brings the total number of unlicensed gambling website blocked in 2024 to 162 and 438 since the blocks were first initiated in 2012. 2024’s tally is already the highest number of sites banned in a single year.
The blocked sites include online casinos, online sportsbooks and skins betting sites.
Skins Betting Sites Targeting Children
The skins betting sites are believed by the authority to encourage gambling behavior in minors as children can use currencies such as ‘Robux’ to place stakes in games and win prizes. Three of these types of sites were among those banned.
Director of the Danish Gambling Authority, Anders Dorph said:
“We pay particular attention to this new type of site. Roblox is a game that is very popular among children and young people under the age of 18. Our children should not be introduced to gambling when they play video games, so I am very pleased that we have blocked access to these sites.”
He added:
“We know that some players will try to bypass the DNS blocks. Therefore, it is very important to us that the information you come across is clear and makes the players aware that they are trying to access a site without a licence. These sites do not have the same level of consumer protection and it can be very risky for a player to use them.”
Problem Gambling Among Young Adults on the Rise
The authority’s latest data from its StopSpillet helpline and exclusion system ROFUS (Register of Self-Excluded Players) shows that 4% of those that contacted the service were aged under 18 while 41% of all inquiries were made by people aged 25 or under. The service has been contacted by 3,200 people with gambling issues since its launch in 2019.
Denmark Problem Gambling Statistics
- 3,200 inquiries since StopSpillet launch in 2019
- 4% of inquiries from under 18s
- 37% of inquiries from 18-25 yr olds
- 29% of inquiries from 26-35 yr olds
- 14% of inquiries from 36-45 yr olds
- 10% of inquiries from 46-55 yr olds
- 4% of inquiries from 56-65 yr olds
- 2% of inquiries from 66+ yr olds
Popular forms of gambling for under 26 yr olds
- Online sports betting – 40%
- Online casino – 37%
- Retail sports betting – 8%
- Gaming – 4%
- Online poker – 3%
- Slot machines – 2%
- Land-based casino – 2%
- Other – 1%
Olivia has worked as an editor and writer for major brands across multiple niches. She now focuses on the iGaming and sports betting industries.
In recent years, Denmark has been facing a growing issue with illegal gambling sites targeting young individuals and leading to a high percentage of problem gamblers in the country. In response to this concerning trend, the Danish government has been implementing various measures to combat these illegal activities and protect vulnerable individuals from falling into the trap of problem gambling.
One of the key initiatives taken by Denmark to address this issue is the strict regulation of online gambling operators. The Danish Gambling Authority (DGA) has been actively monitoring and regulating the online gambling market to ensure that only licensed operators are allowed to offer their services to Danish players. This has helped in reducing the presence of illegal gambling sites in the country and providing a safer environment for individuals to engage in online gambling activities.
Furthermore, Denmark has also been working on raising awareness about the risks associated with problem gambling, especially among young people. The government has been running public awareness campaigns and educational programs to inform individuals about the potential dangers of excessive gambling and how to seek help if they or someone they know is struggling with a gambling addiction.
In addition to these efforts, Denmark has also been collaborating with other European countries and international organizations to share best practices and strategies for combating illegal gambling activities. By working together with other countries, Denmark is able to strengthen its regulatory framework and enforcement measures to effectively tackle the issue of illegal gambling sites targeting young individuals.
Overall, Denmark’s efforts to combat illegal gambling sites in response to the high percentage of young problem gamblers demonstrate the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens from the harmful effects of problem gambling. Through strict regulation, public awareness campaigns, and international collaboration, Denmark is taking proactive steps to address this pressing issue and create a safer gambling environment for all individuals in the country.
