Casinos in Denmark

Introduction

Denmark’s land-based casino industry is well-regulated and offers a variety of choices to players. As this is written, land-based revenues (as a reflection of overall interest) have been declining for the most part on a steady trendline while online gambling has been increasing, sometimes significantly. The numbers for land casinos cover both the seven actual casinos and myriad slot halls, etc.

A land-based casino in Denmark is a physical establishment with a license to offer traditional games such as roulette, poker, baccarat, punto banco, blackjack, and gaming machines.

There are seven licensed land-based casinos across the country, including locations in Helsingør, Odense, Vejle, Aalborg, Aarhus, and two in Copenhagen. These venues attract locals and tourists and offer a sophisticated gaming experience backed up by Denmark’s commitment to responsible regulation.

In addition to the seven casinos, Denmark is home to hundreds if not thousands of slot halls and other locations where players can enjoy slots or other electronic games like virtual sports on multi-game devices, play lotto, or enjoy sports betting. Traditional casino games like blackjack and roulette are restricted to licensed casino venues.

The way the market is organized, with large casinos located in the population and tourist centers and the smaller electronic halls spread around and everywhere in between, gives players a chance to recreate responsibly and creates somewhat solid streams of revenue for the government to use in social programs.

This structured setup allows Denmark to maintain a secure gaming environment and still offer a good range of choices for casual players and serious gamblers.Trust and freedom of speech are important values to the Danish people and the regulatory environment along with the opportunities to gamble seem to reflect those values.

In this article, we’ll explore the development of Denmark’s casino industry, its legal framework, and some of the bigger casinos.

History of Gambling

It would appear as if casino-style games like poker and roulette started becoming popular with Danish players in the 19th century but there isn’t much of a record of public gaming houses. However, unorganized gambling goes back much further. Gambling was a popular part of social life In the Viking era and could be found at festivals, markets, and weddings. Vikings used dice made from antler, bone, and walrus ivory in games of chance and strategy. Just like informal gambling today, it extended to drinking games. Some would throw wine at target statues or try to sink saucers in water-filled tubs while they or others bet on the results. Board games, like hnefatafl (Tafl or Viking Chess), were strategic skill games that lent themselves to wagering. Of course, most of the games could be played with no wagering element at all, but gambling was part of the culture and an early form of responsible gaming was part of Viking law with responsibility assigned for any harm done during gameplay.

Over time, social demand for organized gaming grew and the stage was set for the formalized gambling industry we see today.

On New Year's Eve in 1990, Casino Copenhagen opened in the Radisson BLU Scandinavia Hotel. It was Denmark’s first major modern casino and is still the largest casino in Northern Europe. It has attracted both local and international visitors since it opened. Casino Copenhagen set a high bar for quality in Danish casinos and established itself as a model for others that followed.

Another major development occurred in Denmark with the rise of interest in online gambling in the early 2000s. Authorities recognized the need to regulate and capture revenues from this emerging market and introduced a new gambling act in 2012 that legalized and regulated online casinos. The Danish Gambling Authority now oversees land-based and online operations, making sure that play is fair and players are protected.

Legislation and Jurisdiction

The Danish Gambling Authority (DGA) known as Spillemyndigheden, was established in 2000 under the Ministry of Taxation to regulate the gambling industry. The Authority focused on overseeing gaming machines in restaurants, kiosks, and arcades at first, along with monitoring the operations of Denmark’s seven licensed casinos and the state-owned lottery, Danske Spil. It also distributed licenses for charitable lotteries and bingo events.

A big change happened in 2012 when the Danish Gambling Act was passed. It was designed to bring all gambling activities under one umbrella in a well-structured gambling regulatory framework. The DGA was given expanded oversight powers that cover land-based and online gambling.

Denmark expanded licensing in 2012, authorizing licenses for greyhound tracks and horse racing. The licensing scope was also drawn out to bring bingo operations into the picture. Later in 2020 new laws focused on tighter social responsibility requirements for operators to protect players - underage play and unhealthy gambling behaviors were the main elements the law addressed and intended to remedy.

Danske Lotteri Spil A/S still has s monopoly over lottery games, but otherwise, all gambling operators in Denmark have to be licensed by the Gambling Authority. Denmark levies a tax of 28% on gross gaming revenue for online operators. Considering all of the above, Denmark has built a balanced regulatory environment that supports player protection and industry growth.

In contrast to some other European regulators that often aim to confine residents to state-sanctioned gambling platforms mainly to maximize revenue, a 2024 study by Statistics Denmark, commissioned by Spillemyndigheden, found that most Danes genuinely prefer to gamble on locally licensed online casino sites. Some of the reasons players cited for their preference were strong regulatory oversight, enhanced reliability, and the availability of Danish-language options. Still, some players prefer online casinos that are licensed elsewhere because they prefer higher payouts, more generous bonuses, and a wider variety of games.

Popular Spots and Games

Denmark’s overall casino footprint is small with only seven licensed places to play traditional casino games. Within that small realm, there are plenty of high-quality gaming experiences to be had. Casino Copenhagen is located in Denmark’s capital city and is the largest and most popular casino in the country. It has over 140 slot machines, daily cash games, Thursday tournaments at the poker tables, and classic games like American roulette and blackjack. Still operating from its original location within the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Casino Copenhagen provides a luxurious atmosphere that attracts players from all around the world.

In Aarhus, Royal Casino Aarhus has a more intimate setting inside a historic building, giving it a high level of elegance and a mix of table games and slots. Royal Casino Aarhus experiences heavy amounts of footfall from tourists visiting the country’s second-largest city but also runs promotions on weekends and seasonally as well as birthday gifts that locals enjoy taking advantage of.

Further north, Casino Aalborg attracts a good mix of locals and travelers to interact with. Games include poker, blackjack roulette, touch roulette, and slots. It has a casual but non-smothering atmosphere that appeals to those who want a more laid-back game.

Most of the casinos provide a good mix of classic European games like baccarat, blackjack, and poker, along with electronic gaming options. All of Denmark’s casinos maintain high standards and offer entertainment in secure, and carefully managed settings.

In addition to its licensed casinos, Denmark has gaming options in the hundreds and perhaps close to 2,000 other venues that are available all around the country. Slot halls with other electronic games, but no traditional dealer-hosted tables or card games are scattered across the country. Electronic games can be found in places like sports bars, cafes, and gaming arcades. These halls focus mostly on slot machines. High-stakes gaming is restricted to the seven licensed casinos, so the proliferation of smaller low-stakes entertainment allows the government to control gaming while still making it accessible to anyone of age and with the ability to play.

Lottery tickets and electronic lotto machines are found at gas stations and convenience stores too. Sports betting is popular in Denmark and bettors will find plenty of licensed sports bars and kiosks to bet with. The Danish Gambling Authority oversees all risk versus reward gambling sales including the lottery administered by Danske Spil to make sure they comply with national laws and responsible gaming standards.

Conclusion

Denmark’s land-based casino industry offers a well-rounded gaming experience that mixes traditional European elegance in venues like Casino Copenhagen and Royal Casino Aarhus with the modern amenities players demand. Games like roulette, blackjack, and poker are served up in secure and well-regulated venues. Denmark also has a wide network of nearly 2,000 slot halls and sports betting outlets in cafes, bars, and convenience stores that allow casual lower-stakes play that still sticks to the gaming regulations. Tourists looking for high-end or high-limit casino experiences and locals kicking back to play a relaxed game in a neighborhood slot hall or sports bar all have something in store for them.