As of today, November 21, Denmark’s new land-based bingo regulations are into effect. As a result, operators can now open for licenses, the local regulator, Spillemyndigheden, announced.
Operators That Apply By Dec 10 Will Get a License Earlier
According to the authority, gambling companies can now apply for land-based bingo licenses that will allow them to offer such products legally. The Spillemyndigheden added that the issued licenses will be valid from January 1, 2025, at the earliest.
The Danish gambling regulator noted that, depending on when operators apply, some will be able to hit the market earlier. For example, companies that submit their applications no later than December 10, 2024, will be guaranteed a license that is valid from January 1, 2025. This, of course, assumes that the application is submitted correctly and that all relevant attachments have been included.
The Spillemyndigheden added that it might need additional information from applicants. In such cases, it might issue a license with special conditions that need to be fulfilled within a deadline.
All information about land-based bingo license applications is available on the gambling regulator’s Land-based bingo page on its official website. There, interested parties will also find all necessary application materials, as well as instructions on how they must be filled out.
In the meantime, the Spillemyndigheden invited operators to participate in an information meeting about the country’s new land-based bingo rules. Set to take place on Thursday, December 5, at Englandsgade 25, 5000 Odense C., the meeting will see the authority clarify the regulations.
Spillemyndigheden Remains a Stalwart Integrity Defender
In the meantime, the Spillemyndigheden just highlighted recent changes to FATF’s gray list, which saw Lebanon added to the list of riskier jurisdictions with lax measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
The regulator reminded that operators must keep the FATF’s list of high-risk jurisdictions in mind when risk-assessing players. Although operators do not have to perform due diligence measures for every consumer from restricted jurisdictions, they must be wary of the risks and be careful when conducting enhanced due diligence for such players.
This warning came several weeks after the Spillemyndigheden shut down 79 unlicensed gambling sites. According to the authority, some of these companies even targeted kids and young adults, exposing Danish citizens to risk. Since beginning its crackdown on unlicensed gambling in 2012, the Spillemyndigheden has blocked a total of 438 websites.