Who is the Danish Gambling Authority?
The Danish Gambling Authority is an executive authority under the Danish Ministry of Taxation.
We are responsible for ensuring a well-regulated gambling market in Denmark where players are protected against unfair and illegal gambling.
Our work
The Danish Gambling Authority is tasked with the administration of gambling legislation, including lotteries, betting, online casinos, gaming machines, public poker tournaments, and land-based casinos.
Our key duties include issuing licences to provide gambling, supervision of gambling operators, and monitoring the gambling industry. Other important tasks include international cooperation, ensuring responsible gambling, and advisory services.
The Danish Gambling Authority’s history
The Danish Gambling Authority was formed in 2000 within the Danish Ministry of Taxation.
The first ten years of our existence, our primary task was to control the gaming machines that were placed in the gambling arcades, restaurants, and kiosks, etc.
Moreover, we supervised the seven land-based casinos in Denmark and Danske Spil, which had a monopoly on the supply of betting and lottery.
At the same time, we issued licences to the holding of charity lotteries and bingos. From 2012, this changed significantly when the present Act on Gambling became effective. Today, everyone who applies and obtains a licence can provide gambling in Denmark. (However, lotteries are still exempted, as Danske Lotteri Spil still has a monopoly). Consequently, the Danish Gambling Authority became an independent authority with its own director as of 1 January 2013.
An authority with many addresses
About 100 employees work at the office in Odense, while the remaining 20 work at other locations in Copenhagen and in Jutland. Those are the supervisors who inspect gambling premises around the country.
During the first year, the Danish Gambling Authority located in tax centre in Høje Taastrup. In 2015 moved to new offices at Havneholmen in Copenhagen and in 2016 main office moved to Odense. The move was caused by the government’s relocation plans for state workplaces.
Organisation
The Danish Gambling Authority’s values
We contribute to a fair gambling market in Denmark with informed citizens and responsible gambling operators
The gambling market is evolving: Traditional gambling is complemented by always accessible online versions and other types of gambling, and the gamification makes the line between gambling and other games harder to draw.
The Danish Gambling Authority ensures a fair and well-regulated gambling market with responsible gambling operators by issuing relevant licenses, conducting risk-based supervision and providing guidance.
We help educate players and prevent harmful gambling behaviour by facilitating a conversation about gambling. We provide tools and guidance to help players whose gambling is becoming or has become harmful.
We have a special obligation to protect children under the age of 18 from gambling that can lay the foundation for problem gambling behaviour later in life. For the same reason, we also focus on the gambling culture of young people over 18.
We must constantly learn more about the gambling market by observing players, conducting analyses and exchanging knowledge with other national and international authorities and players in the market, as well as working with the responsible gambling operators.
The Danish Gambling Authority works to ensure that citizens can gamble in a fair and legal gambling market and to prevent citizens from developing gambling problems that can have serious consequences for their finances, health and social well-being.
Knowledge
The Danish Gambling Authority takes pride in efficiently supervising gambling operators. We take a professional approach to our work and are experts in our field. We build our administration on a high level of professionalism and dedication.
Collaboration
The Danish Gambling Authority has room for differences, which means that we allow for differences and are open to new ideas. We highly prioritise team spirit, job-satisfaction, and trust. Mutual respect for each other is essential to the way we manage our activities.
Perspective
The Danish Gambling Authority is at the forefront of industry developments and dares to break new grounds. We are open to new perspectives in our supervision and maintain an ongoing dialogue with our stakeholders. Gambling is internationally anchored, and thus it is vital that we focus on gambling developments in other countries.
Responsibility
The Danish Gambling Authority takes responsibility for a well-regulated and a fair gambling market. We focus on the protection of players as well as the protection of children, young persons, and vulnerable persons. We strive to provide information and guidance on the framework for legal gambling.
Performance contract 2025
A Performance contract for the Danish Gambling Authority has been made to set the direction for the work with the strategic guidelines.