Danish Casinos

Denmark is home to a mature online gambling market whose combined revenue amounted to $1.08 billion in 2023. The online casino vertical accounts for the most sizable portion of these profits, followed by online lotteries and sports betting. In recent years, the Nordic country has been witnessing a pronounced shift in consumer preferences toward remote gambling, which largely results from increased accessibility and the greater convenience it offers.

• Denmark’s Stance on Online Gambling
• The Danish Gambling Authority
• Gambling Regulatory Bodies
• The Future of Online Gambling

Danish players face a decent enough choice of legal gambling options, including online casino games, sports betting, peer-to-peer poker, bingo, and lotteries. The provision of these activities requires a license from the Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden), which also regulates them in digital form under the Danish Act on Gambling. The local watchdog has handed licenses to over 40 remote sportsbooks and casinos at the time of publication, including some of the biggest brands in the iGaming industry.

On this page, readers will find overviews of the best online casinos currently catering to players from Denmark, alongside extensive regulatory and licensing information. The most common deposit methods implemented by Danish players and the popular types of games they will encounter at online casinos are also covered in this article, so let’s dive right in.

Denmark’s Stance on Online Gambling

Five years ago, the state-owned Danske Spil was the only company on the territory of Denmark that was issued a license, allowing it to offer casino games and sports betting services to Danish residents. All foreign gaming operators were barred from providing players in the country with real-money gambling services. License applications from international operators were not accepted, either. This left Danish players with an extremely limited number of legal gambling options. Despite that, many international gambling providers accepted wagers from Danes and catered to their needs by offering websites that supported the Danish language as well as payment methods, suitable for players from the country.

However, since Denmark is a member state of the European Union, the European Commission intervened, forcing the country to take its first steps towards market liberalization. In 2008, the European Court of Justice addressed the issue and challenged the state monopoly, established by Danske Spil. A new piece of legislation, known as the Danish Act on Gambling, was drawn up to allow foreign gambling operators to apply for local licenses.

The process of opening the Danish market was by no means quick or easy. The first draft of the legislation that was to liberalize the market was released in 2010, but was met with a strong opposition on behalf of Danske Spil and the landbased casinos operating in the country. The landbased companies were dissatisfied with the fact that the new legislation proposed lower taxes for licensed online gambling providers. The new legislation proposed that the taxes on landbased casinos should start at 45% of their gross revenue while these imposed on online gambling operators were significantly lower at 20% for the gross gaming revenue and 28% for corporate taxes.

The European Commission once again stepped in and ruled in favor of the proposed taxes which helped the liberalization of the Danish gambling market to move forward. As of 2012, the Danish Act on Gambling was officially enforced. The same year saw the establishment of the Danish Gambling Authority, locally known as Spyllemindigheden, which is responsible for the supervision, regulation and licensing of gambling operators in the country.

Online gambling operators interested in offering their services to residents of Denmark are now required to first obtain a license from the Danish Gambling Authority. So far, this regulatory body has issued over twenty licenses to international gambling operators, including large players in the industry like bet365, 888, and bwin. Several unlicensed and therefore, unauthorized operators have already been blacklisted. What is more, the Danish government has the authority to instruct financial institutions to block transactions to and from online casinos that have been added to the blacklist.

Web-based gambling providers interested in operating in Denmark can apply several types of licenses – for sports betting, virtual casino games, and online poker. The new legislation works to the advantage of poker players, especially, since it allows regulated poker platforms to pool Danes with fellow poker players from across the world. This is not the case in some European countries where tournament participants are allowed to seat at tables with players from their own country only.

However, there is still a great number of online gambling providers that accept players from Denmark without having a license from the local authorities. Most operators provide players from the country with the opportunity to load the websites in their native language and choose from a wide range of convenient methods of payment that support DKK as a currency.

Most Popular Danish Online Casinos

Identifying the best online casinos is no picnic as multiple factors should govern your choice, including software and range of games, withdrawal speed, accepted payment methods, mobile compatibility, licensing, and overall reputation in the iGaming community. We have considered all these and more during our extensive vetting process to deliver this unbiased curation of the top 5 gambling sites that accept real-money players from Denmark. Browse the list and read our brief overviews to find the Danish casinos that best suit your individual preferences.

Spyllemindigheden – the Danish Gambling Authority

As was mentioned previously, the Danish Gambling Authority was founded right after the Danish Act on Gambling came into effect. This governmental body regulates the majority of gambling forms in the country and issues the licenses of foreign gambling providers that wish to offer their services to Danish residents.

International companies can apply for two types of licenses. Type A licenses are valid for online sports betting services while Type B licenses cover virtual casino games and poker. These licenses are not transferable and need to be renewed every five years.

There are a number of requirements operators need to meet in order to obtain a license from the Danish Gambling Authority. For instance, the funds of players should be kept in a separate, secure bank account while the casinos’ accounting system must be available for audits at all times and should be updated on a daily basis.

Another condition dictates that the operators’ software should be up to par with the technical standards outlined by the Danish Gambling Authority. The available games should be tested for fairness and randomness by accredited testing agencies. Before operators are granted a license, they need to provide proof of their compliance with the Appropriate Financial Operation Regulations of the Danish Gambling Authority.

Taxes Imposed on Online Gambling in Denmark

The good news for Danish players is that no taxes are imposed on the winnings they generate when betting online, regardless of the amount they have won. However, this is not the case as far as licensed gambling operators are concerned. All operators that have been approved by the Danish Gambling Authority are required to pay a license fee that amounts to DKK250,000. This is the amount for one license only. Meanwhile, companies that apply for both Type A and Type B licenses are subject to a license fee of DKK350,000.

Since the licenses are valid for five years, the licensees need to pay an annual fee which depends on their yearly revenue and varies anywhere between DKK50,000 and DKK1,500,000. Meanwhile, companies that operate on the territory of the country are subjected to a 28% tax rate, but there is also a tax of 20% on their gross gaming revenue.

Danish Online Casinos FAQs

What bonuses can I claim at Danish online casinos?

Welcome bonuses, reload bonuses, cashbacks, and free spins are commonly available to online casino players from Denmark but certain restrictions on promotions are mandated by the Danish Gambling Authority. The average value of the sign-up offers cannot exceed 1,000 DKK and players should be granted at least 60 days to opt in and clear the wagering requirements attached to the bonuses. Speaking of which, the playthrough should not surpass 10x the value of the triggering deposit. All terms attached to the promotions should be laid out clearly and unambiguously.

Do you have any tips for playing at Danish online casinos?

Managing your bankroll properly and gambling within your means is easily the wisest piece of advice we can give you. Set aside a gambling budget you feel comfortable with and select custom limits on your daily, weekly, or monthly deposits to prevent yourself from overspending. It is equally important to play at reputable and licensed online casinos approved by the local regulatory watchdog.

What player verification procedures are in place at Danish casinos?

All DGA-licensed casinos are required by law to implement the MitID identity verification system that replaced the previously deployed NemID in 2022. It greatly streamlines the verification process, allowing DGA licensees to confirm the identities of new players electronically with their unique digital identifiers before any real-money gambling can commence.

Deposit Methods for Danish Casino Players

Facing a decent enough variety of reliable payment methods is of vital importance for the overall quality of your gaming experience. Danes commonly prefer to use credit and debit cards for their online gambling transactions but the list of available banking methods extends way beyond cards. Denmark-friendly online casinos provide an excellent choice of digital wallets, prepaid solutions, and payment gateways to ensure each customer can deposit easily and efficiently.

This section brings to your attention four of the most popular payment methods available to Danish casino players. All four facilitate speedy, safe, and affordable transactions in the local currency, the Danish krone (DKK). More importantly, Danes can use most of these solutions to both top up their accounts and withdraw winnings from their balance, which further adds to their convenience.

Credit and Debit Cards

Credit and debit cards are broadly accepted at Danish online casinos, allowing local players to deposit swiftly and securely. Dankort is the most commonly implemented debit card brand by local gamblers, although Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are also supported by Dane-friendly gambling operators. Cards pose a convenient payment option for players looking to replenish their balance as they facilitate instant deposits without additional fees on the operators’ side.

Card users can initiate deposits and start placing bets on their favorite casino games within a couple of minutes. Various security measures are in place to protect card transactions, including the standard SSL encryptions all licensed online casinos deploy. This ensures the card details players enter during the deposit process remain private and invulnerable to fraud.

Another great aspect of using cards for your gambling transactions is that they are widely supported for withdrawals. Danish players can anticipate receiving their winnings within 3 to 5 business days on average, although some casinos have shorter processing timeframes on card withdrawals.

Klarna

Klarna is a leading payment service provider whose market reach extends to over 30 countries, including Denmark. The platform is implemented by north of 150 million active customers at the time of publication and handles a whopping 2 million transactions each day. It has grown by leaps and bounds since it first launched in Sweden nearly two decades ago, acquiring rival payment service Sofort in 2014.

Danish players will encounter the Klarna logo in the cashiers of all reputable casinos catering to their market. The Klarna platform serves as an intermediary between players and participating banks, fostering direct money transfers straight from their online banking accounts. The deposit process is extremely hassle-free and smooth with Klarna, not to mention the funds are credited to your casino balance in real-time, usually at no extra cost.

To replenish your balance, you must click on the Klarna logo in the cashier, select a participating bank or card issuer, and fill in the information required to complete the transaction. The deposit amount will be momentarily transferred to your casino balance. Withdrawals are also possible with Klarna, although they require between 24 and 48 hours to process in most cases. Cashing out your winnings with this method is more or less the same as making deposits, the only difference being you must wait for your withdrawal request to be approved. Following Klarna’s acquisition of Sofort, some online casinos list the service as “Sofort by Klarna”.

Apple Pay

Apple Pay is a mobile wallet app integrated into all iOS-based devices that support fingerprint authentication. It has gained a solid foothold in the Danish iGaming community as it enables local players to easily deposit funds to their casino accounts directly through their portable Apple devices. Setting up the mobile wallet involves several simple steps and requires having a debit or credit card from a participating card issuer.

Users must connect their cards to the mobile wallet by scanning them or entering their card details manually. Apple Pay deposits are then deducted directly from the connected card, allowing for effortless transactions in real time. Many casinos support the mobile wallet for withdrawals as well as for deposits but the former typically require more time to complete. Danes owning Android-based smartphones and tablets can alternatively use MobilePay, which functions roughly in the same manner.

PayPal

PayPal is a convenient online wallet that allows for effortless, quick, and highly secure transactions to and from online gambling accounts. It is supported by the vast majority of online casinos authorized to operate on the Danish market, including many of the sites featured on our list of recommendations. To transact with PayPal, Danish players must first register with the payment platform and link their virtual wallets to their cards or bank accounts.

Deposits with this innovative electronic wallet appear in online gambling accounts immediately and are free of charge. The method is suitable for withdrawals as well, which is yet another benefit of using it for gambling-related transactions.

PayPal deposits and withdrawals are protected by a host of robust security measures, including two-factor authentication (2FA) and biometric authentication. Despite its numerous advantages, PayPal is not entirely without shortcomings. Some online casinos disqualify deposits made with this e-wallet from redeeming welcome bonuses.

Popular Games and Live Dealer Products in Denmark

The top-rated online casinos welcoming players from Denmark offer a proliferation of top-end games, ranging from modern slots overloaded with special features to classic table games like roulette and blackjack. Their portfolios are normally supplied by a variety of renowned software providers to accommodate all play styles and personal preferences.

Software Providers

Industry heavyweights like Big Time Gaming, Playtech, Pragmatic Play, Yggdrasil, and NetEnt all rank among the established software brands commonly partnering with Danish online casinos. These companies are held in high regard for the quality of their products, offering instant play games compatible with all desktop and mobile devices.

Online Slots and Progressive Jackpots

The portfolios of Danish casinos are dominated by innovative slot games packed full of special features that greatly increase the level of player engagement. Local reel spinners will benefit from advanced payout mechanics like MegawaysTM, rounds of free spins, and interactive bonus games designed to make their gaming experience more rewarding. Players are additionally aided on their way to scoring wins by scatters, multipliers, and different types of wild symbols.

Prominent releases from the video slot category include Sweet Bonanza, Legacy of Dead, Starburst, and Great Rhino Megaways. The range of themes is diverse enough to ensure all Danish players can find releases that correspond to their unique interests, style, and preferences. Progressive slots like Playtech’s Gladiator and Age of the Gods are particularly appetizing as the prizes they yield escalate to life-changing amounts.

RNG Table Games

Although less abundant compared to slots, table games are also on prominent display in the lobbies of Dane-friendly casinos. Timeless classics like roulette, blackjack, and baccarat are available in multiple variations with different rules and bet limits to accommodate all levels of risk tolerance and budgets. Games like European Roulette, Multi-Hand Blackjack, Mini Baccarat, and First Person Craps attract both seasoned and unversed players. Some variants support side bets, presenting players with the opportunity to pocket larger payouts at longer odds.

Video Poker

Fans of the video poker genre will not experience difficulties in finding variations of their favorite game, either. Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Bonus Poker, and Tens or Better are commonly available at gambling sites accepting real-money play from the Nordic country. In some instances, playing up to a hundred hands at a time is possible.

Live Dealer Products in the Danish Market

Another major trend recently observed in the Danish market is the rising popularity of live casino products that ensure a more interactive and authentic experience. The realism is enhanced by the fact the gaming action is streamed in superb high-definition quality from dedicated tables serviced by expertly trained dealers and croupiers.

Players can conveniently interact with each other and the dealers, which makes for a wholesome, true-to-life experience. Some live tables are manned by dealers who can fluently converse with Danes in their native language. Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play, Playtech, and Authentic Gaming are leaders in the provision of live dealer solutions, and as such, work with some of the most trusted gambling operators catering to the Danish market.

Said companies are responsible for crafting games like Lightning Roulette, Golden Wealth Baccarat, and One Blackjack, all regarded as staples in the live casino genre. Game shows are also on the rise in Denmark, including notable releases like Crazy Time, Mega Ball, and Rainbow Riches.

The Future of Online Gambling in Denmark

Ever since the enforcement of the Danish Act on Gambling in 2012, the online gambling market in the country has been growing at a rapid pace, so much so that Denmark has even become somewhat of a role model when it comes to gambling regulations. By opening to foreign competition, the country has succeeded in bringing most of its interactive gambling activities within a regulated market.

This is beneficial for two reasons and the first one is that the risks for Danes playing at unreliable and harmful gambling websites are reduced, at least partially. Then again, regulating the local market is beneficial for the state itself because it gives its revenue a boost thanks to the taxes, imposed on the licensed operators. Danish players may have an even wider range of options as certainly more international gambling providers will apply for local licenses in the future.