Unlicensed Gambling Websites in Denmark Forced to Cease Operations by Regulatory Body
In a bid to address the growing concern of gambling addiction among young adults, Denmark has taken significant steps to block access to unlawful gambling websites. In June 2025, the Danish Gambling Authority (DGA) secured court approval to block 178 offshore sites, including those offering popular forms of gambling like skin betting [1][2].
The DGA's blocking strategy targets sites that are localized for Danish users, either through the use of Danish language, transactions in Danish currency, or local payment methods. The focus is also on sites offering sports betting markets on lower-tier Danish leagues [1]. Internet and telecommunications providers in Denmark are mandated to block access to these sites, marking the largest mass blocking effort since the Authorityβs establishment in 2012 [1].
Skin betting, a form of gambling that uses in-game items, has been identified as a notable activity on these illegal platforms. This raises concerns about the exposure of young users, particularly given the popularity of skin betting among younger demographics who engage with video games and related betting forms [1].
The crackdown aims to protect minors and vulnerable groups by restricting exposure to unregulated gambling content. Although data on changes in youth gambling behaviors post-blocking is not explicitly available, the mass blocking of illegal sites is intended to reduce accessibility to illicit gambling [3].
Interestingly, the country's self-exclusion register ROFUS reports that 41% of its users are under 30 [4]. The latest round of blocks saw three telecom companies not part of the Teleindustrien trade group participating. Dorph, the head of the DGA, expressed satisfaction with the broader teamwork to protect more people from the dangers of using unregulated sites [4].
In summary, Denmark's efforts to block illegal gambling sites, including those offering skin betting, represent the largest coordinated blocking effort against such sites in the country's history. The aim is to protect consumers, especially young users, from the risks associated with unregulated gambling [1]. While the precise behavioral impact on young users is not yet clear from the available sources, the comprehensive blocking aims to curb illegal gambling accessibility.
References:
[1] "Danish Gambling Authority blocks 178 illegal gambling sites", European Gaming Media and Events, June 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.europeangaming.eu/news/danish-gambling-authority-blocks-178-illegal-gambling-sites
[2] "Denmark intensifies efforts to combat illegal gambling", Gambling Compliance, June 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.gamblingcompliance.com/news/2025/06/denmark-intensifies-efforts-to-combat-illegal-gambling.html
[3] "Impact on young users", Danish Gambling Authority, June 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.spillemyndigheden.dk/artikler/impact-on-young-users
[4] "41% of ROFUS users are under 30", Danish Gambling Authority, July 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.spillemyndigheden.dk/artikler/41-of-rofus-users-are-under-30
Sports betting, casino, and casino-and-gambling are among the popular forms of gambling blocked by the Danish Gambling Authority (DGA) as part of its comprehensive strategy to protect consumers, particularly young users, from the risks associated with unregulated gambling. The DGA is also targeting sites that offer lower-tier Danish leagues sports betting markets in this largest coordinated blocking effort against such sites in Denmark's history.