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Online Gambling in Denmark

Denmark is synonymous with amazing architecture, delicious food, and Hygge as a symbol of the local philosophy that stands for coziness and happiness.  The world knows this Scandinavian country for its royal family, talented scientists, and famous athletes. The last always show impressive results in global championships and the iconic Olympics.

Denmark is known as the happiest nation because locals pay particular emphasis to entertaining  due to their diverse spheres of interest. With the Internet breakthrough,  online gambling has climbed to the top position among Danes’ beloved pastimes. Punters can spend hours at the gaming machines  in the land-based casinos or playing the beloved slots on the multiple online platforms.

The Danish gambling authority regulates all online casinos in Denmark, and has done an excellent job ensuring any online casino that launches in the country is safe and secure. This means the best online casinos can offer a wide range of online casino games and it is all legal.

What should we know about the Denmark gambling industry if planning to visit this marvelous region? This article will enlighten all vital aspects.

Is online gambling legal in Denmark?

The Danish gambling market heads the ranking of the most strictly regulated among EU countries. Local governance is highly focused on legitimating domestic casino- and betting companies and cutting off those that operate by the black label.  The Danish Gambling Authority (DGA), known for locals as Spillemyndigheden, regulates the gambling market and sets rules for the country-based bookmakers and casino institutions.They enforce rules set by the Danish Gambling Act. For the record, the DGA celebrated its twentieth anniversary in Sep 2020.

Consequently, top online casinos will be required to undergo stringent testing by the DGA to ensure fair play across the board. Danish online casinos are among the safest in Europe, with all online casino sites placing player security as a vital aspect of their offering.

For decades, the tribal lottery company Danske Spil held a solo monopoly on wagering in the Scandinavian territory. The things changed after the Gambling Act introduction a decade ago. The Act allows online casinos and betting operators to lawfully render their activities under several conditions, including mandatory licensing. It’s not surprising that the Act resulted in a colossal flow of new gambling operators in the vicinity, which forced the good old Danske Spil to give up its leading position on the Danish market.

Requirements for gambling operators

As mentioned earlier, Denmark authorities act like strict parents concerning their ‘children’  – online casino and betting providers.  However, it is even beneficial for the Danish gamblers to sleep safely, knowing that government stands for their rights.  So how could online casinos and bookmakers get approval by the Danish Gambling Authority?

First, they need to apply for a license, which is valid for five years. After this term, companies need to pass another verification. Non-licensed operators are not welcome by the Scandinavian authorities as they don’t pay a levy to the national treasury. Any online casinos legal will be fully licensed. Denmark online casino sites cannot skip legislation.

Taxation is another mandatory rule for casinos and sportsbooks to exist on the Danish gambling map. Fees vary for land-based casinos and online gambling providers.

Brick-and-mortar gaming establishments pay much higher levy than online casino operators and sportsbooks. The taxation for the latest ones also increases if they provide gaming activities (casino games, slots) alongside sports betting. Another crucial requirement for gambling providers is having the Danish-speaking customer support and sites operating under the DK.domain. All these restrictions have one noble aim – to safeguard Danes from black-label companies and boost the national economy (last-year gambling revenue in Denmark reached 6.5 billion DKK).

Top online casinos in Denmark

There are some fantastic Danish online casino options.

When we enlightened that online casinos are welcome in Denmark, it’s the right moment to detect which of them are good and reliable and which are better-to-ignore. These trademarks identify high-class online gambling providers from low-profile replica: license, plurality of casino games and slots, lavish bonus system and loyalty program, experienced customer service, and speedy payouts. The worthy representatives on Denmark’s online gambling niche are the following casino operators:

  • 888sport
  • Casino DK
  • Unibet
  • Betsafe
  • Casumo
  • Slots Magic

All these online companies offer a bountiful welcome bonus for newbies (up to 100% to min deposit) extra to free spins on popular slots. Danes can select between several deposit options and pay in DKK currency without any additional levies. Gamers may participate in regular tournaments, which these online casino operators regularly hold for customers. Large-scale jackpots are another hallmark that attracts casino fans. The sites offer an impressive collection of thrilling games and gaming machines that make land-based casinos jealous. The help center reps are accessible via live chat and email, and Yes – they speak the Danish language.

Popular casino games among Danes

Danish gamers are fond of both games of chance (like lotteries) and games that act as brain teasers and require specific skills, like ‘wearing’ a Poker face. Any online casino in Denmark want these games as part of their offering:

Poker

Though Denmark is not a Poker’s motherland, Danes are huge fans of this thrilling card game. Many online gambling providers have specially-designed Poker rooms for customers, where local gamers can compete in their skills with other enthusiasts. Poker traditionally takes a leading position considering the gamers’  activity and engagement, and leading casino operators always add this beloved-by-Danes card game to their content offering.

Blackjack

Another pop casino game among Denmark gamers is Mr. Blackjack. The game rules seem so simple at first sight (to beat a dealer and not get over 21), but require strong math skills, intuition, and a bit of luck. Blackjack comes in different names among international gamblers (in some countries, it is called 21). Blackjack is the second most-searched table game among Danish casino fans.

Roulette

Related to the games of chance, Roulette is not losing its popularity among Danes. Each reputable Denmark online casino tends to merge the Random Number Generator (as people often call Roulette) to its platform. Roulette combines all features that customers seek in a good casino game: thrill, engagement, and powerful emotional charge when your number hits the jackpot.

Slots

Can you imagine an eminent online casino without a vast selection of gaming machines, i.e., slots as modern punters call them? We can’t! Top-ranked Denmark online casino companies offer 200+ slots to gamers at any taste. Contemporary users are no longer satisfied with only ‘Three Fruit Win’ slot machines; they want more complicated and thrilling options to play LIVE.

Denmark casino sites traditionally seduce gamers with free spins as a welcome bonus for starters or special perks for loyal users. The gambling industry doesn’t stand still as the gamblers’ appetite grows and develops more and more breathtaking slots to match the most demanded casino fans’ requirements. Dracula, Wild Wild West, Jumanji, Lost Island, Starburst are only a few of the multiple popular slots in demand among Danish players.

Live-dealer games

Gamblers’ craving towards something new and one-of-a-kind grows with the tech progress. Casino games with live dealers hit the Denmark online gambling industry a few years ago. These games’ popularity is easy-to-grasp: they are fast (sessions last around 5 minutes) with fascinating mechanics and multiple in-game options to engage a player. Attractive presenters run the gameplay in real-time, which creates a unique feeling of the host-player interaction.

The games like Keno, Baccarat, and Bingo are the most well-liked among Danish gamers. Many land-based casino houses in Denmark have also integrated live-games. They have specially-equipped game-rooms with TV screens, where casino fans can play online in a cozy atmosphere. The live-game creators assure that soon more and more gamblers will move to such a gameplay format due to its accessibility and wide variety of in-play options.

Online vs. land-based gambling institutions

Some could say that with the rise of the online gambling industry in Denmark, brick-and-mortar casino houses lost the lion’s share of their loyal audience. Skeptics even ensure that within the upcoming ten years, European land-based gambling houses will pass away forever. We won’t jump to conclusions, stating that the physical gambling era is over. The Danish Gambling Authority offers fruitful conditions to this business development (the Danske Spil case), alongside online casino platforms. Besides, Danes like spending time in brick-and-mortar casino houses to feel that unique thrill of real gaming.

Still, it’s fair to note that online gambling in Denmark develops at enormous speed. It is reasonable as online casino platforms have a myriad of advantages upon brick-and-mortar establishments. The primary benefit is the colossal assortment of casino games (some operators offer 2,000+ games and slots) at any preference. Besides, most gambling sites tease users with generous bonus offers and free spins. Both new and loyal gamers may receive daily and weekly perks in the shape of cash, gadgets, virtual gifts, and free spins on popular slot machines.

Eminent Danish gambling websites regularly hold weekly and monthly tournaments to spice up gamers’ engagement. They usually post the information considering the upcoming tourneys in the news section on the sites. The tourneys vary in each particular casino. Players compete with each other for lush gifts, like cash, gadgets, free spins, etc. (Some gambling operators present winners with very generous prizes, like cars or vouchers to the 5-star resorts.) The best part is that traditionally all tourney participants receive some incentive prizes, like caps, T-shirts, and virtual coins.

Tips for Danish gamers

It’s clear that the online casino niche has excellent prospects in Denmark, as a predominant share of domestic gamers prefers free and easy-to-access casino sites to traditional gambling houses. While hunting for the gaming platforms, Danes should focus on several key points to make the correct choice. Except for the game and slot diversity, experts suggest to pay heed to the paying options. Not all Danes prefer credits card transactions because they don’t want their gambling activity to be visible in bank statements. Thus, e-wallets, like Skrill and Neteller, will make a perfect alternative for Danish users who wish to keep their gaming winnings a secret from banks.

Another tip for the Denmark online casino enthusiasts is to pick up operators with top-notch loyalty programs. Many casinos introduce VIP-level systems for users to stimulate their loyalty to playing on their portals, but not on the competitive sites. Each operator has its peculiar approach to rewarding users with VIP levels, depending on their activity and deposit amounts. VIP gamers may count on additional perks from casino operators (points and free spins on well-known slots).

Finally, pundits recommend online casino fans to select mobile-friendly gambling platforms. Research shows that around 73% of Denmark’s gamers prefer to use a casino site via mobile browsers. They explain it by the mobile platforms’ higher accessibility compared to desktop. Gaming en-route allows Danes to run their beloved casino games wherever they are 24/7. Thus, most domestic casino sites tend to develop high-rank mobile versions or apps to satisfy the gamers’ hunger.

Online betting prospects in Denmark

Danes’ love of casino games may compare to their engagement with sports betting. The Danish Gambling Authority is loyal to online bookmakers and allows them to operate on the Denmark market if they apply for a needed license and obey taxation. After the solo monopoly by Danske Spil broke down, many young betting providers appeared on the horizon. Moreover, the Gambling Authority  allows foreign bookies to work in the Vikings’ country, alongside the domestic operators. Like casino owners, sports betting companies should pay a levy to the government, depending on their reported income.

When deciding on the best betting site in Denmark, experts suggest picking up mindfully not to bump into low-profile bookmakers. Please, make a focus on the following trademarks that identify reliable sportsbooks:

  • Reputation: The absence of unresolved disputes and a low percentage of customers’ negative reviews may symbolize a bookie’s good standing. Of course, some companies often purchase positive reviews to boost their popularity. Thus, pundits recommend monitor sites with real people’s feedback to have a clear and unbiased vision about a bookmaker.
  • Trustworthiness: Another meaningful hallmark to detect a trusted bookie from a fraud is to make a license-check and customer service screening. License symbolizes that a sportsbook operates by the Denmark law, which protects customers’ interests firsthand.  A skilled help center means that users may count on professional assistance with any issues while enjoying sports wagering.
  • Market menu: Top sportsbooks tend to broaden their content menu not only with popular classic sports, but with additional assortment, including entertaining and political events. Odds movement  is another integral aspect that detects top bookmakers. Leading operators modify odds, considering the events’ relevance.
  • Swift payouts: Trusted operators never annoy punters with stagnant payouts. A promising sign if the bookie’s reps process the withdrawal requests within 24 hours. The withdrawal speed may vary depending on a selected banking method (e-transactions are the fastest).

Best sports betting sites for Danes

  • Ladbrokes
  • 1XBet
  • Melbet
  • bet365
  • Unibet
  • 888sport

 

These sportsbooks have proved their creditability among the Denmark folk; they have a vast selection of betting markets and large-scale bonus programs for seasoned bettors and rookies. Danes may enjoy an immense assortment of leagues, tourneys, and championships. Additional options like fantasy leagues, Formula 1, or MMA events are also present in the bookies’ collections. Punters may pick up from several suitable deposit methods: from direct bank transfers to popular e-wallets. Users can visit the self-titled casino sections on the bookies’ websites. Operators even allow customers to use the same wallet for the casino and sportsbook.

The operators deliver the HD events broadcasts in the LIVE format, allowing sports enthusiasts to watch games online at no additional charge. The platforms have excellent in-play sections, where punters can bid on the ongoing events. Bettors will appreciate the informative Blog and FAQ pages with tips for gurus and starters. Cashback is another privilege that regular customers may count on, as a bountiful remuneration for staying loyal with a bookmaker. Finally, professional customer service with well-trained representatives is like the icing on the cake for Denmark users. The reps are eager to provide in-time assistance to punters 24/7 via live chat and email.

Popular sports in Denmark

Danes are notorious for their passion for active sports. The Scandinavian nation pays particular attention to the kids’ physical education at schools and colleges by introducing multiple teenagers programs. Locals adore different sports, but their beloved are these:

Handball

Danes are the founders of this popular game that has already spread far beyond the country borders. Statistics show that Denmark has around 150,000 registered handball players. This thrilling team sport is also played during the Summer Olympics. The Danish Cup final traditionally hits records by the demand among local punters.

Ice hockey

Rare Danes are not attracted to this winter sport. Many eminent hockey players with the Danish roots, including Lars Eller and Frederik Andersen,  play in the National Hockey League. In 2018, Denmark hosted IIHF Championship. The special event was televised nationwide and generated a colossal demand among domestic sports bettors.

Racketlon

Racketlon is quite widespread among local spectators and bettors. Danes’ beloved Racketlon event is the International World Tour that includes 23 tourneys. Racketlon is a combo of tennis and squash, which are both popular among locals, so it’s no wonder that Racketlon games always gather large crowds at the Danish stadiums.

Martial arts

MMA fans know many iconic artists with the Danish roots, like the UFC champ Martin Kampmann. Though some countries ban MMA combats, referring to their immense aggression, Denmark is not on the list. Danes have adored martial arts for decades, explaining the rise of many outstanding combatants that managed to  make successful careers in the international arena.

Football

Though we didn’t mention it in the first place, football reasonably takes the top position in the Danes’ favorite sports ranking. Locals equally adore playing football and watching games. There currently exist 1500+ clubs that vary by level. The Danish Superliga games can beat any other event by the fans’ engagement. The country’s national team has a high rating in FIFA and notable European Championships.

Virtual sport

VR sports are not new among international punters, and recently, Danes have also catered toward this format. The demand for VR leagues among locals has tremendously grown after the traditional events’ shutdown amid the pandemic. VR games’ benefits are that they are independent of seasonal changes, and their fascinating mechanics may fans forget they are watching VR players but not real people on the field. Many Danish sportsbooks offer VR events on their channels. The process is identical to classic sports: bettors monitor stats, compare bookies’ predictions, and wager on favorite VR teams.

Summing up

The prospects of the gambling sector in Denmark have reached a new level with the appearance of online casino platforms and betting operators. The local authorities are strict, yet fair, to gambling companies that operate in the Scandinavian region. Thus, online bookmakers  and casinos should have a license to deliver their activities on a lawful basis. They also pay taxes to the national treasury. These measures aim to safeguard Danes from black-label operators and ensure their safe and pleasurable pastime on the gambling platforms.

Currently, local gamers have access to thousands of thrilling games and slots on numerous  casino websites. The brick-and-mortar gaming houses can’t boast of such an impressive selection that their online brothers offer. Hence, experts forecast that the online format of gambling activities will keep expanding nationwide, attracting more and more Danish people. The paramount rule that gamers should follow is picking up providers that correspond to the Denmark regulated standards, i.e., are licensed and reputable. Luckily, Danes can always address expert tips to choose high-profile operators and enjoy gambling at full.

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