Danish regulator blocks 79 sites as young people dominate self-exclusion statistics

The Danish Gambling Authority (DGA) has blocked 79 unlicensed gambling sites, which the regulator said include those targeted at children and young people, from being made available to players across the country. 

The websites in question, which offer online casino, sports betting and skin betting, have been DNS blocked directly by telecoms companies at the request of the DGA.

The DGA noted that previously, only telecoms firms that were members of Teleindustrien trade body had been involved with the blocking process.

However, in the latest blocking push, three providers from outside of the body supported the regulator in its aims.

Players trying to access the sites will be redirected to a page informing them the website is illegal and has been blocked by the DGA.  

DGA director Anders Dorph noted some users will still try and access blocked sites, making the DGA notice a vital part of the regulator’s arsenal to change perceptions on the black market.

He said: “We know some players will try to bypass the DNS blocks. Therefore, it is very important to us that the information you come across is clear and makes the players aware that they are trying to access a site without a licence.

“These sites do not have the same level of consumer protection, and it can be very risky for a player to use them.”

Out of the 79 websites, three skin betting operators offered players the chance to bet with and win ‘Robux’, a virtual currency from the popular children’s game Roblox.  

Dorph stressed the regulator had to be vigilant of this new type of skin betting to better protect children in Denmark.

He said: “We pay particular attention to this new type of site. Roblox is a game that is very popular among children and young people under the age of 18.  

“Our children should not be introduced to gambling when they play video games, so I am very pleased we have blocked access to these sites.” 

The regulator has so far blocked 162 unlicensed gambling sites this year so far, including the 83 sites blocked back in February, which is the highest number of banned sites in a year for the DGA to date. 

These decisions have been backed by the Danish courts, in which the regulator has had to appear twice this year.

Since 2012, the DGA has blocked 438 sites from being accessed by Danish players.

Meanwhile, figures from Denmark’s gambling helpline, StopSpillet, and its self-exclusion register, ROFUS, showed that young people are the most frequent users of responsible gambling services.  

Since StopSpillet was launched in 2019, the helpline has received around 3,200 enquiries from players across Denmark.

Of those enquiries, 41% have come from players under the age of 26. Within that demographic, 37% from players aged 18 to 25, and 4% from players 17 or younger.  

The next largest demographic was the 26 to 35 age range (29%), followed by 36 to 45 (14%) and 46 to 55 (10%).  

Online sports betting is the vertical most frequently referenced by players contacting StopSpillet (40%), followed by online casino (37%), land-based betting (8%) and gaming (4%). 

ROFUS follows a similar trend, with 41% of its 51,000 registrees being under the age of 30.  

Back in July, the DGA announced a collaboration with the Gambling Advertising Board and Consumer Ombudsman to tackle illegal gambling marketing within the country.

The holistic approach from the trio will see the bodies work together and share information when illegal and unlicensed marketing practices are uncovered in Denmark.