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Gaming law in Denmark is primarily national, with the Danish Gambling Authority overseeing licensing, supervision, enforcement, responsible gambling rules, and technical standards. Kalundborg is subject to these national rules, and the municipality also influences practical matters such as venue approvals, event permits, signage, fire safety, and business operations. When people talk about gaming in a legal context, they often mean gambling activities like betting, online casino, lotteries, gaming machines, and charity games, but there are also legal considerations for video game arcades, esports events, and gaming cafes.
The Danish Gambling Act sets out what counts as a regulated game, who needs a license, how marketing must be done, how players must be protected, and how operators must handle anti-money laundering checks. Operators offering games to people in Denmark typically need a Danish license unless an exemption applies. Local requirements in Kalundborg can apply to the physical location of activities, for example building use, fire code, noise control, alcohol licensing, and public event permissions.
Licensing and strategy for operators. If you plan to offer betting, casino, gaming machines, or lotteries to people in Denmark, you will likely need a license from the Danish Gambling Authority. A lawyer can help assess whether your product is a regulated game, structure your company and contracts, prepare policies for responsible gambling, integrate the national self-exclusion system, and coordinate technical certifications and testing.
Compliance and risk management. Operators must meet anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing obligations, carry out customer due diligence, implement risk assessments, train staff, and report suspicious activity. There are also rules on age verification, game fairness, bonus terms, and complaint handling. A lawyer can design policies and internal controls that fit Danish rules and your business model.
Marketing and consumer protection. Gambling advertising is tightly regulated in Denmark. You must avoid targeting minors, present odds and bonus terms clearly, and include responsible gambling information. A lawyer can review ads, influencer collaborations, sponsorships, and affiliate agreements so your marketing works in Kalundborg and nationwide without breaking the rules.
Brick-and-mortar issues. If you want to place gaming machines in venues or open an arcade or esports lounge in Kalundborg, you will face national licensing for the machines or games and local approvals for premises, fire safety, accessibility, and opening hours. Leases, alcohol licenses, and neighborhood impact can raise legal questions that benefit from local counsel.
Nonprofits and raffles. Associations and schools often want to run raffles or bingo to raise funds. Danish law distinguishes between charity lotteries and commercial gambling. A lawyer can confirm whether your event needs a permit, help with prize limits, ticketing rules, and ensure compliance with both national and municipal requirements.
Player disputes and consumer rights. Individuals may need help if an operator has frozen funds, closed an account, refused a bonus, or failed to pay winnings. A lawyer can advise on complaint routes, evidence, chargebacks, and when to escalate to authorities or court.
National rules apply across Denmark. The Danish Gambling Act defines gambling categories, licensing pathways, and operator duties. Executive orders set technical and operational standards, including game testing, responsible gambling tools, and reporting. The anti-money laundering framework applies to licensed gambling operators and requires risk-based controls and reporting to the national financial intelligence unit.
Kalundborg municipality influences where and how you operate locally. If you run a venue, expect to address zoning and change-of-use approvals, building and fire code compliance, occupancy limits, emergency exits, signage rules, and noise management. Public events may require municipal event permits and coordination with the local police district. Venues serving alcohol must comply with local licensing decisions and any conditions set by the municipal licensing board.
Gaming machines outside casinos require a national license for operation and often registration of each machine. The physical placement must comply with local fire safety and building rules. Premises such as restaurants, cafes, and arcades in Kalundborg must enforce age limits and display required notices if machines are present.
Marketing is governed by national consumer protection and gambling rules. The Consumer Ombudsman guidelines on fair marketing and protection of children apply to promotions in Kalundborg. Esports and gaming venues that market to young people should take special care with advertising content, sponsor placement, and promotions that resemble lotteries or betting.
Data protection applies to both online and local venues. If you collect player IDs, video surveillance, or behavioral data, you must follow the General Data Protection Regulation and Danish data protection rules, including privacy notices, data minimization, security, and in some cases a data protection impact assessment.
Taxes and duties are split between operator gambling duty and general corporate taxes. Operators are responsible for calculating and paying gambling duties according to product types under Danish law. Individuals generally do not pay tax on winnings from games offered under a Danish license, but tax treatment can vary in cross-border or unlicensed scenarios, so professional advice is recommended.
A game is typically considered gambling if players pay to participate, the outcome is determined by chance fully or partly, and players can win a prize of monetary value. Betting, casino games, and lotteries fall under this definition. Skill games without monetary prizes are usually outside gambling law, but each product requires a careful assessment.
If your platform offers betting or casino games to people in Denmark, you usually need a Danish license, regardless of where your company is established. The license process covers financial suitability, technical certification, responsible gambling tools, reporting, and integration with the national self-exclusion system.
Loot boxes are not automatically gambling. They may be considered gambling if items acquired can be transferred or sold for real money and the outcome is based on chance. If loot boxes are confined to a closed game economy without cash-out or transfer, they are less likely to be regulated as gambling. Each implementation must be assessed on its specific features.
Charity lotteries and raffles are allowed under specific conditions. Depending on scale and structure, you may need approval or must follow simplified rules for non-profit events. There are usually requirements on transparency, prize limits, beneficiary purpose, and accounting. Check the rules in advance and keep proper records.
You must be at least 18 to participate in licensed gambling products. Operators must verify age and prevent access by minors. Physical venues with gaming machines must enforce entry and participation controls and display age restriction notices.
Advertising must be responsible, not misleading, and must not target minors or vulnerable persons. Bonus terms and wagering requirements must be clear and prominent. Required responsible gambling messages and information about age restrictions must be included. Sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and influencer campaigns must also comply with these rules.
ROFUS is the national self-exclusion register. Players can exclude themselves from online gambling and certain land-based offerings. Licensed operators must check ROFUS and block self-excluded players, as well as refrain from sending them marketing. Integrating and respecting ROFUS is a core licensing condition.
Purely private games among friends where no one profits as an organizer beyond their own participation are generally not considered licensed gambling. If an entry fee, rake, or house advantage is charged by an organizer, it likely falls into regulated gambling and could be illegal without a license. When in doubt, seek legal advice.
Winnings from games offered under a Danish license are generally tax-free for individuals. Winnings from unlicensed operators or certain cross-border situations can be taxable. Operators pay gambling duties on gross gaming revenue according to Danish law. For specific cases, speak with a tax professional.
Start with the operator’s internal complaints process and keep copies of all communications and evidence. If unresolved, consider alternative dispute resolution routes available to consumers, contact relevant consumer authorities, or seek legal counsel. The Danish Gambling Authority supervises compliance and can act against illegal operators, but it does not usually decide individual contract disputes between players and licensed operators.
Danish Gambling Authority for licensing guidance, technical standards, responsible gambling requirements, and the ROFUS self-exclusion system.
Kalundborg Municipality business services for premises approvals, event permits, signage rules, and local environmental and noise requirements.
Local police district for event notifications, crowd safety, and permits related to public order.
Danish Tax Agency for gambling duties and tax compliance for operators.
Consumer Ombudsman for marketing and consumer protection guidance relevant to gambling ads, promotions, and influencer marketing.
Data Protection Agency for GDPR compliance, CCTV rules in venues, data security, and privacy notices.
Danish Business Authority for company formation, registration in CVR, and corporate filings.
Esport Denmark and local esports associations for best practices when organizing tournaments and youth activities.
Define your activities clearly. Write down what you plan to offer, where your customers are, how money flows, who your partners are, and whether prizes have monetary value. This scoping step determines whether gambling laws apply.
Identify your regulatory pathway. If your product looks like betting, casino, lottery, or gaming machines, map the relevant Danish license type, technical certification needs, and responsible gambling integrations such as ROFUS. If you run a venue in Kalundborg, map local approvals for premises, fire safety, and events.
Assemble core documents. Prepare corporate ownership information, policies for responsible gambling, anti-money laundering risk assessments, customer due diligence procedures, game rules, fair bonus terms, privacy notices, and security measures. For venues, collect floor plans, capacity calculations, and safety documentation.
Engage with authorities early. Contact the Danish Gambling Authority for licensing questions and Kalundborg Municipality for premises and event issues. Early dialogue can prevent delays and rework.
Consult a lawyer experienced in Danish gaming. A local counsel familiar with Zealand and Kalundborg processes can align national gambling rules with municipal requirements, negotiate leases and supplier contracts, and reduce compliance risk.
Plan for ongoing compliance. Train staff, monitor marketing, run regular audits, test age checks, and review AML alerts. Keep records of decisions, incidents, and remediation steps. Update policies when laws or your products change.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. For decisions that affect your business or rights, seek tailored advice from a qualified professional.
