Denmark to draft new rules for lottery and bingo legislation

The Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden) aims to implement an agreement on liberalising land-based bingo and lotteries this October. This move marks a major step towards modernising the industry and aligning it with broader trends in European gambling regulation.

New bill proposal

Currently, the Danish market for land-based bingo and lotteries operates under strict regulations. While the country has embraced liberalisation in some gambling sectors, such as online sports betting and casinos, land-based games like bingo and charity lotteries have remained more tightly controlled. The upcoming bill, which is expected to be discussed in the Danish Parliament in October, aims to liberalise land-based bingo and lotteries. This move is seen as creating a more competitive and dynamic market, giving operators more freedom while still maintaining necessary protections for players.

According to Spillemyndigheden, the Danish Ministry of Taxation will be responsible for drafting the specific rules, with updates on the bill’s progress expected shortly before the parliamentary debate. “At the Danish Gambling Authority, we are working to be as ready as possible when the new rules are expected to be finally adopted later this autumn. The Ministry of Taxation oversees the creation of the new rules, so for us, it’s about being prepared for when the new rules will be implemented,” the regulator added.

Licences and their adaptation

Spillemyndigheden is working on a detailed application path designed to match operators with the correct type of licence. The official rollout of the new application process is scheduled for 21 November 2024. From this date forward, operators will be able to submit their applications under the new framework. This gives companies time to prepare and ensures that the Danish Gambling Authority can process applications ahead of the new rules going into effect on 1 January 2025.

Licences issued before 21 November 2024 will still be valid, but they will need to be adapted to fit the new regulations. This means that existing operators will need to work closely with Spillemyndigheden to ensure their operations are fully compliant by the time the new rules come into force. To ensure that everyone is prepared for the upcoming changes, Spillemyndigheden will host a webinar on 26 November 2024, focused on charity lottery applications. If the bill fails to pass in Parliament, the webinar may be postponed, but updates will be provided as needed.

While the bill is expected to pass, there is always the possibility that it could face challenges in Parliament. If the proposal doesn’t win support, there could be delays in implementing the new rules. The liberalisation of land-based bingo and lotteries is expected to have a lasting impact on Denmark’s gambling industry. By creating a more competitive and open market, these changes could lead to innovation and growth in both sectors.

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