Denmark strengthens illegal gambling enforcement with 334 sites blocked

Denmark's gambling regulator has intensified its efforts against illegal gambling. It blocked hundreds of unlicensed websites during 2025 and also worked on strengthening cooperation with technology companies now that gambling has shifted to be mainly online.

Spillemyndigheden recently published its annual report. This revealed that Danish authorities secured court orders to block 334 illegal gambling websites targeting consumers in 2025. The regulator stressed that the increase was because of stronger enforcement activity rather than evidence of a growing black market.

Increased surveillance

Spillemyndigheden expanded its monitoring programme throughout 2025. It now combines proactive searches, data analysis and public tip-offs to identify unlicensed operators.

The regulator works alongside the Danish Tax Authority's anti-fraud unit, It investigated 695 suspected illegal gambling websites. Courts ultimately confirmed that 334 were operating without the required Danish licence and ordered them to be blocked. A further 36 websites were either removed or altered their gambling content following intervention.

The regulator also assessed the effectiveness of DNS-level website blocking. In June 2025, there were 178 websites blocked. After this, third-party traffic analysis showed that visits to those domains fell by around 34% over the following six months. Results did vary, however, between individual websites.

New powers target affiliates and clone sites

Denmark has also modernised its enforcement approach by updating its agreement with Teleindustrien. This is the trade association that represents Danish internet service providers.

The revised arrangement means mirror or "clone" websites can be blocked without requiring fresh court orders each time they appear. This makes it more difficult for illegal operators to quickly re-establish their services.

The changes complement the Spilpakke 1 legislative package, approved in October 2025. This expanded Spillemyndigheden's enforcement powers. The legislation now means the regulator can block affiliate and referral websites that direct Danish consumers to unlicensed gambling operators. It also introduced a whistle-to-whistle ban on gambling advertising during live sporting events.

"The increase in blocked websites reflects strengthened surveillance efforts rather than an expansion of the illegal gambling market."

App stores, a new enforcement focus

The report shows how illegal gambling marketing is increasingly moving beyond traditional websites. It’s clearly moving onto mobile apps, social media and streaming platforms.

Spillemyndigheden has formalised complaint procedures with Apple and Google. It hopes to speed up the removal of illegal gambling apps from app stores. Licensed operators can also now report brand misuse directly through Meta's reporting channels too. This helps to remove misleading advertising more quickly.

As in many other European counties, online gambling dominates Denmark's regulated market. Online casinos generated DKK4.31bn in gross gaming revenue during 2025. This accounted for 38% of the country's gambling market. There was a 12.1% year-on-year increase.

Overall, online gambling represented 73% of Denmark's total gambling revenue in 2025. A year earlier, this was 70%, In 2012, the figure was just 33%. Mobile devices accounted for 73% of all online gambling revenue, which shows the sector's continuing digital transformation.

UK regulators pursuing similar objectives

Denmark's latest enforcement measures aren’t unique in Europe. Regulators are focusing on disrupting illegal operators more and more. This is happening through website blocking, advertising restrictions and cooperation with digital platforms.

In the UK, the Gambling Commission has also made tackling the black market a regulatory priority. Alongside enforcement action against unlicensed operators, the regulator has worked with search engines, payment providers and social media platforms to reduce consumer exposure to illegal gambling websites. Recent reforms introduced through the Gambling Act review are working to strengthen consumer protections across the regulated market.

As gambling increasingly moves towards mobile and online channels, regulators across both Denmark and the UK appear to be placing greater emphasis on ensuring players remain within licensed, regulated environments.