Denmark was one of the first EU countries to open a licensed online casino market, back in 2012. Private companies can offer casino games to Danish players, but only with a licence from Spillemyndigheden, and the authority blocks sites that operate without one. This guide explains how the rules work, how to check a licence, how ROFUS protects players, how winnings are taxed and where to get help.
Is online gambling legal in Denmark?
Yes, at licensed operators. The Danish Gambling Act (Spilleloven) entered into force on 1 January 2012 and allowed private companies to offer online casino and betting under a licence. Lotteries remain largely reserved for Danske Spil and for charitable lotteries.
Offering gambling to people in Denmark without a Danish licence is prohibited, and so is marketing gambling that lacks a Danish licence. Spillemyndigheden can have unlicensed gambling sites blocked by Danish internet providers, and it has also targeted affiliate websites that direct players to unlicensed casinos.
The rules are getting stricter. In October 2026 the government tabled bill L 37 in the Folketing. According to reports on the bill, it would extend criminal liability for breaking the marketing rules to any person, including affiliates and influencers, set fixed fines for marketing gambling without a Danish licence and widen the authority's power to block intermediary websites.
Who regulates online casinos in Denmark?
Spillemyndigheden, the Danish Gambling Authority, sits under the Ministry of Taxation. It grants licences, supervises licence holders, runs the ROFUS self-exclusion register and operates the StopSpillet helpline. It can issue orders, report operators to the police and seek court orders to block websites.
Licensed operators must verify every player with MitID or a similar check, follow Danish marketing rules and pay Danish gambling duty on their revenue.
How can you check whether an online casino is licensed in Denmark?
Licensed sites are required to make their status visible, which makes the check quick.
- Look for the Spillemyndigheden logo on the site. On licensed sites it links to the authority's own page about the licence holder.
- Go to spillemyndigheden.dk and open the list of licence holders to confirm the company and the exact domain.
- Check that the site asks you to verify your identity with MitID before you can deposit.
- Make sure the site links to ROFUS and StopSpillet. Licensed sites must show both.
- If a site accepts Danish players but refers only to a foreign licence, it does not hold a Danish licence.
What is ROFUS and how does it protect players?
ROFUS (Register Over Frivilligt Udelukkede Spillere) is the national register of voluntarily excluded players, run by Spillemyndigheden since 2012. You can exclude yourself temporarily for 24 hours, one, three or six months, or permanently. Registration is personal, so only you can register yourself, and it cannot be cancelled during the chosen period.
Every licensed online casino and betting site must check ROFUS. While you are registered, you cannot open an account or play at any of them, and they may not send you marketing.
Licensed operators must also let you set deposit limits when you open an account. Neither ROFUS nor these limits apply at unlicensed sites.
- Temporary exclusion for 24 hours, one, three or six months
- Permanent exclusion option
- Applies to every licensed online casino and betting site
- Mandatory deposit limits at sign-up
What are the risks of unlicensed online casinos?
Sites without a Danish licence fall outside Danish supervision. If you have a dispute about a withdrawal, a closed account or a bonus, no Danish authority can resolve it, and you rely entirely on how the foreign operator chooses to treat you.
These sites do not check ROFUS and do not have to follow Danish rules on limits, identity checks or marketing. Winnings from them may also be taxable as personal income, which can take a large share of any win.
Do you pay tax on gambling winnings in Denmark?
Winnings from online casinos licensed in Denmark are tax free for players, because the operator pays gambling duty. Winnings from gambling lawfully offered under a licence in another EU or EEA country can also be tax free, provided the conditions in Danish tax law are met.
Winnings from operators outside the EU and EEA are taxable as personal income and must be declared. Lottery prizes follow separate rules, with tax deducted before payout. If you are unsure how a win should be treated, check skat.dk or contact Skattestyrelsen.
Which payment methods do licensed Danish casinos accept?
MobilePay and Dankort are the most familiar methods, alongside Visa and Mastercard debit cards, Trustly bank payments and bank transfer. Payments are in Danish kroner and go through an account in your own name, verified with MitID.
A site that only takes cryptocurrency or routes payments through unfamiliar third parties is very unlikely to hold a Danish licence.
Where can you get help with gambling in Denmark?
StopSpillet is the Danish Gambling Authority's free and confidential helpline for gambling problems. Call 70 22 28 25 or use the chat on stopspillet.dk. Conversations are not passed on to other authorities, and relatives can call as well.
Specialist treatment for gambling addiction is free in Denmark through the treatment centres listed on stopspillet.dk and borger.dk. If you want to stop playing at once, register in ROFUS on spillemyndigheden.dk with your MitID.
Myths vs facts
- Myth: Any EU-licensed casino can legally serve Danish players.
- Fact: Operators need a licence from Spillemyndigheden to offer online casino in Denmark. A licence from Malta or another EU country is not enough.
- Myth: Danish players pay tax on every casino win.
- Fact: Winnings from Danish licensed operators are tax free, and so are wins from lawfully licensed EU and EEA gambling that meets the conditions in Danish tax law. Winnings from outside the EU and EEA are taxed as income.
- Myth: Someone else can sign you up to ROFUS.
- Fact: Registration is personal. Only you can register yourself, using your MitID.
- Myth: Promoting foreign casinos to Danes carries no consequences.
- Fact: Marketing gambling without a Danish licence is prohibited, affiliate sites can be blocked, and bill L 37 proposes fixed fines for anyone who markets unlicensed gambling.
Before you claim
- The Spillemyndigheden logo is shown and links to the licence holder page
- The company and domain appear on the authority's licence list
- You verify your identity with MitID before depositing
- The site links to ROFUS and StopSpillet
- You set a deposit limit when opening the account
- Payments are in Danish kroner through an account in your name
- You have the StopSpillet number saved: 70 22 28 25