Denmark Sports Betting Sites

Historically, sports betting on the territory of Denmark was prohibited in 1753 when Frederic the Fifth issued a royal decree intended to ban all forms of gambling.

Yet, there were some loopholes in the decree and after all, gambling was allowed under certain requirements. The Danish Class Lottery was given the allowance to operate on grounds that money is set aside for the poor.

• Historical Overview
• Regulatory Body
• Relevant Legislative Framework
• Restrictions
• Popular Odds Formats
• Popular Sports to Bet on
• Banking Methods
• Mobile Betting
• Aspects of Worthy Betting Site
• Popular Bookies

Nowadays, the situation has improved significantly. Gambling has been legalized and is currently under the control of The Danish Gambling Authority. This gaming board was established in 2000 and is responsible for regulating the Danish gambling market. It ensures that all sports betting websites Danish bettors have access to are reputable and that they follow Danish regulations.

Find the best Danish bookmakers here

Historical Overview

The royal decree was outlawed in 1948 and substituted by the first gambling legislation. Sports betting and gambling activities in Denmark have long been controlled by one sole operator known as Danske Spil. The latter was established in 1948 with the aim of offering football betting options. Later on, it greatly expanded the markets the Danes can bet on and now, it provides not only sports betting but also a variety of casino games.

The Government seemed content with Danske Spil’s monopoly on the market. The first reason why they approved it was that Danske Spil was a state-owned company, which therefore meant the government could greatly benefit from the generated revenues and use the funds for charitable purposes and the development of the sports. The second reason was that having just one available operator made the regulation of the market much easier. According to them, proper regulation meant that the negative effects of gambling would be minimized.

However, this approach turned out to be ineffective as Danish punters found various international bookmakers to wager on. Most bookmakers even offered their services in Danish and processed transactions in Danish krone.

As a result, the Danish government passed a gambling act in 2010, but it came into force in 2012. The new act enabled companies to apply for a license and enter the Danish gambling market. That move was expected to boost revenue and minimize the number of firms that operate illegally.

Regulatory Body

All gambling activity within Denmark is regulated by The Danish Gambling Authority. This includes forms of gambling such as lotteries, online and brick-and-mortar casinos, gaming machines, public poker tournaments, and sports betting as well as remote wagering on sports.

The regulatory body is in charge of issuing licenses to bookmakers looking to operate within the Danish market, and it also ensures that the sports betting websites in question follow the legislative regulations of the country.

Should breaches of contract occur, the Danish Gambling Authority can penalize the sportsbooks in question, and it can also revoke the licenses of operators when it has been deemed necessary.

In addition, the DGA works closely with The Danish Ministry of Taxation. This ministry is in charge of collecting taxes pertaining to sports betting activities, as well as the registration of operators that have acquired a license. The Danish Consumer Ombudsman is another authority that plays a role in regulating the gambling industry within Denmark. It is responsible for settling disputes between consumers and operators, and the DGA collaborates with this authority in order to ensure that bookmakers are following Danish law.

All in all, Danish gambling enthusiasts can trust that if a bookmaker is able to operate within the country, then the sportsbook in question will follow the regulations set in place by Denmark’s regulatory authorities to the letter. The Danish sports betting sphere is thus one of the best there is for punters.

Relevant Legislative Framework

As previously established, three regulatory bodies oversee the Danish gambling market – the Danish Gaming Authority, the Danish Ministry of Taxation, and the Danish Consumer Ombudsman.

The Danish Gaming Authority is in charge of issuing licenses and monitoring all activities that take place on the Danish market.

The Danish Ministry of Taxation is in charge of registering the license holders and overseeing the collection of gaming duties. It works in collaboration with the Gaming Authority and both institutions deal with legislative matters.

As for the Danish Consumer Ombudsman, it regulates the marketing activities of the licensees and investigates disagreements between operators and customers.

Licenses

Currently, there are two types of licenses operators can apply for. The first one is a betting license and the second one is an online casino license. In case a company obtains a betting license, it is enabled to provide online and land-based services. Although the license is valid for the territory of Denmark, it can be expanded to include Greenland.

Licenses are valid for five years and operators are welcome to apply for both licenses. The combined fee for both licenses is approximately EUR 47,000. However, the annual fee is determined by the amount of the generated gross gaming revenue.

The Gambling Act

The approach of Danish authorities towards sports betting is said to be quite interesting. The Gambling Act, which came into force, pointed out four main reasons why gambling laws should be amended.

First of all, the Act called for keeping the consumption of gambling services to a minimum and protecting the vulnerable part of the population from the negative effect sports betting and casino games expose them to. The Act also called for transparency and prevention of organized crimes.

Actually, the Danish regulation system is considered a pretty good one. Instead of prohibiting international operators from entering the Danish market, it allows them to apply for a license and try to meet punters’ demands for legal betting services. Furthermore, legalized gambling contributes to the country’s coffers.

The Current Legal Situation

It was not until the beginning of 2012 when Danske Spil’s monopoly was broken up. At that time Danske Spil was the only company allowed to provide the Danes with gambling services, while overseas companies were prosecuted and deemed illegal.

However, the intensified pressure put on Danish authorities made them change the regulation, and today, more than 400 bookmakers are enabled to provide their products and services. Some of them even have their websites translated into Danish.

Prominent bookmakers such as Mr Green and bet365 have successfully entered the Danish sports betting market but the state is still in charge of racing events and betting options.
The new legislation turned out to be profitable for Danske Spil as well. The profits skyrocketed and now, the company is split into two smaller ones: Danske Lotteri Spil and Danske Licens Spil. According to lawmakers, the Gambling Act implemented in 2012 lacks the ambiguity of the previous gambling laws.

Yet, Danske Spil still holds the monopoly on lotteries, dog and pigeon racing events. All the other forms of gambling, including sports betting, poker, and casino games, are available for foreign operators.

During the first year when the law was put into force, as many as 25 operators received licenses and 57 were blacklisted.

Restrictions

Although Denmark has taken a more liberal approach towards sports betting and casino legislative matters, they are still strictly monitored. Only companies that have acquired a license and pay the necessary fees are allowed to operate on the Danish market, and licenses are valid for 5 years. Thankfully, the gaming board is not limited in terms of the number of licenses it can issue.

Off-shore bookmakers that have not acquired a license by the Danish Gaming Authority are not allowed to target Danish players. In other words, if an off-shore website provides Danish as a language option, offers customer service in Danish, covers games that are of interest only to Danish bettors, accepts Danish kroner and allows payment via Danish exclusive payment solutions, and it does not have a license to operate within Denmark, then the bookmaker in question should expect a cease-and-desist letter by the DGA in a timely manner. The authority can also undertake further actions to stop the sportsbook from offering its services to Danish punters. In addition, even licensed foreign betting websites cannot offer dog racing or pigeon racing.

Several promising bookmakers failed in receiving a license, while some others, listed below, welcome Danish players. It is important to note that in order to place a legal wager, one must visit the .dk address of the bookmaker.

As far as taxes are concerned, these are the sole responsibility of the bookmaker. Players’ winnings are not subject to taxes. It is also essential to be aware of the legal betting age in Denmark. Most countries allow their residents to place sports bets when they turn 18, and Denmark is not an exception. All individuals 18 or older are permitted to wager provided that they do so at licensed establishments.

Popular Odds Formats

Any experienced punter will be familiar with just how important the odds are to bettors. The odds formats help you see how lucrative a potential bet can be. Placing bets without being familiar with the more popular odds formats would be the equivalent of relying on a coin toss when you place your bets. While some bettors might enjoy this type of chaotic wagering, most punters will want better chances of winning.

Decimal Odds

Europeans are fond of the decimal odds format, and this includes Danish bettors. It is considered by many to be the easiest of all odds formats, which explains its popularity. Indeed, once you are familiar with how the calculation works, it is quite easy to tell if a bet is worth placing at a glance.

Let us take a basketball listing as an example:

Alba Berlin: 3.45
Milano: 1.33

If we wish to bet 100 Kr. on Milano, for instance, all we need to do is multiply the stake by the odds in order to calculate the potential payout:

100 x 1.33 = 133 Kr. (100 Kr. stake + 33 Kr. profit)

Fractional Odds

Fractional odds are favored mainly on the British isles. Although they are not as popular abroad, they still see quite a bit of use and certain Danish bettors prefer this format.

Figuring out what the potential profit of a wager will be is not a hard task. We can use our previous basketball example to see how the odds can look like:

Alba Berlin: 49/20
Milano: 1/3

As you can see, the odds are visualized as fractions, and fractional odds show how much you could win by wagering 1 Kr. The potential win amount (the numerator) is at the top, while the amount you bet (the denominator) is at the bottom. If the denominator is the larger of the two, the team in question is the favorite.

Calculating the profit of a 100 Kr. bet on Milano is simply a matter of multiplying it by the odds:

100 x 1/3 = 33 Kr. profit

If you wish to know the total payout, add back your stake and you are pretty much done:

33 + 100 = 133 Kr. payout

American Odds

American odds originate from the USA, and this is also where the majority of this format’s users reside. Nonetheless, some non-American bettors do like using this method. It tends to be present in sportsbooks, and this includes certain Denmark-friendly bookmakers.

American odds are a bit unique, seeing as they basically showcase the relationship between a 100 Kr. bet and the underdog or the favorite. The underdog is preceded by a plus, and it shows how much you can win if you wager 100 Kr. The favorite, on the other hand, follows a minus, indicating how much money you need to stake to win 100 Kr. Once again, we can use the previously showcased match as an example:

Alba Berlin: +245
Milano: -300

From this listing, we can see that we can win 245 Kr. by wagering 100 Kr. on Alba Berlin. In addition, placing a 300 Kr. stake on Milano is necessary if you wish to win 100 Kr.

Popular Sports to Bet On

Sports as a whole are quite big in Denmark, so naturally, tons of Danish gambling enthusiasts love to wager on sports betting events as well. Like the majority of European punters, the Danes are passionate about football and they frequently place wagers not only on the domestic Superliga, but also on events of international importance. The English Premier League matches attract a lot of interest. That is why bookmakers are glad to provide Danish punters with a vast array of football betting options.

The popularity of golf is attributed to the successful performance of Thomas Bjørn at the Tour in the 2000s. Thorbjørn Olesen is yet another Danish player who constantly keeps his fans engaged. Handball and badminton are also considered popular among the Danes, not to mention that cyclists have won prestigious titles.

Apart from sports betting, the Danes are also avid poker fans. Denmark takes pride in having top players occupying the first places in different poker rankings.

Despite the fact that Denmark is a relatively small country, Danish players have captured a number of trophies. The Danes won Euro 1992 and according to bookmakers, the interest in Superliga is really high. English and Spanish markets are also highly popular.

Soccer

Soccer, also known as football, is hands down the most popular sport in pretty much the entire world. Europeans in particular are especially fond of soccer, and the same can be said for players residing in Denmark. Leagues such as the UEFA Champions League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, and the Danish Superliga among many are also quite popular at Denmark-friendly bookies. Additionally, bettors in the country have access to markets like both teams to score, outrights, totals, goalscorer bets, and more.

Cycling

Cycling is an important part of Danes’ daily lives. It is well-liked not only as a past-time, but Danish sports fans also love to spectate cycling races. This, of course, means that many of the individuals in question are gamblers who love to partake in sports betting too, which is why cycling has quite the presence at Danish bookmakers. Events like the British National Road Race Championships, the Grand Tour, and Tour de France attract quite a lot of bettors to sports betting websites. They can also choose between king of the mountains, the green jersey, outrights, and others when it comes to bet types.

Handball

Handball is very important to Denmark to put it lightly. It is, after all, a sport that originated in the country, and is thus quite valuable to Danish sports fans. This is why bookies looking to impress Danish bettors will typically give handball the attention it deserves, and league winner, match winner, and match handicaps are but a few of the markets bettors can pick from. As for matches, Danish punters are spoilt for choice. Events pertaining to the European Handball Federation, International Handball Federation, SEHA League, Danish Men’s Handball League, Liga ASOBAL, and many more receive great coverage at online bookies.

American football

This might come as a surprise to some, but American football is indeed a favorite of many gambling enthusiasts from Denmark. The Danish American Football Federation organizes the National Ligaen, but this is not the only event covered at Denmark-friendly sportsbooks of course. In fact, Danish bettors can enjoy coverage of leagues like the NFL, Canadian Football League, European Football League among many others. Betting websites will also ensure a great wagering experience and provide markets such as handicaps and totals that are very popular.

Popular Sports to Bet On Summary
Sport	Pre-match/In-play	Leagues
Soccer	yes/yes	UEFA Champions League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Danish Superliga
Cycling	yes/yes	British National Road Race Championships, the Grand Tour, Tour de France
Handball	yes/yes	Handball Federation, SEHA League, Danish Men’s Handball League, Liga ASOBAL
American Football	yes/yes	NFL, National Ligaen, Canadian Football League, European Football League

Popular Banking Methods

Online banking has steadily become a part of the daily lives of Danish individuals. Bettors residing in Denmark have come to expect that managing their funds online will be an effortless endeavor and, naturally, online banking at sportsbooks should be no different in their eyes. Indeed, bookies offering remote sports betting have done their best to ensure that withdrawing or depositing money is a hassle-free experience. They have done so by providing a sufficient variety of payment solutions, so pretty much most bettors from Denmark can be certain that they will have access to a solution that suits their preferences.

Credit and Debit Cards

Most gambling enthusiasts are used to utilizing credit and debit cards when it comes to making online purchases, and understandably such bettors will feel quite at home with using this banking solution at sportsbooks. It is for this reason that bookies catering to Danish bettors are guaranteed to offer credit and debit cards as an option both for withdrawals and deposits, and punters can typically choose between Visa and Mastercard.

E-wallets

E-wallets are the modern method when it comes to dealing with online banking. They are preferred by many gambling enthusiasts, not simply for their ease of use, but also because they provide an extra layer of security since e-wallets prevent your banking information from being shared with the websites you wager at. Popular choices include Trustly and PayPal. Additionally, bettors who use iOS devices will more often than not have access to Apple Pay at bookmakers.

Pre-paid Vouchers

Another banking solution popular with individuals who value their privacy is pre-paid vouchers. Sports betting sites tend to include them within their deposit sections, and bettors from Denmark will usually be able to use Paysafecard.

Bank Transfer

If all else fails, bettors can always trust that bank transfers will meet their depositing and withdrawing needs. This method is not the fastest, at least when withdrawals are concerned, but it gets the job done in a reliable fashion which is more than enough for many Danish punters.

Mobile Betting

The twenty-first century has brought upon many changes that have greatly improved our quality of life. One such aspect is the sheer accessibility the internet has nowadays thanks to the innovations in smartphones and mobile networks, and by now we are all quite used to having everything the internet has to offer at our fingertips when we are out and about. Sportsbooks were quick to catch on to this development, and nowadays any respectable bookie offering its services to Danish bettors has made its services available on smartphones one way or another.

The first type of mobile solution is mobile websites. They are basically the website itself, but with a mobile-friendly skin that not only looks far better on smartphones but is also far more convenient to use on smaller screen sizes. Accessing such websites is incredibly easy. More often than not you will be redirected to the mobile version of a sportsbook automatically, but if not, a direct link to this version of the website will be available.

Dedicated applications are another mobile solution that is quickly gaining momentum in the sports betting sphere. Finding them is, typically, a hassle-free endeavor, seeing as the bookmaker you are eyeing will often link to the Android and iOS versions somewhere on the website. If not, you will be able to quickly find the applications by searching in the app store of your operating system of choice.

Regardless of which method you go with, you can rest assured that you will not be at a disadvantage compared to bettors who use their computers for their sports betting needs. Managing your funds, for instance, is just as easy on smartphone bookies as it is on PC sportsbooks, as is wagering in and of itself, contacting customer support, in-play betting, and pretty much any feature you would expect at a bookmaker.

Key Aspects of a Worthy Betting Site

Taking into consideration the vast diversity of sports betting operators within the industry, it is of vital importance for bettors to be able to sort out which are the best by comparing their major features. In the lines to follow, we accentuate some of the aspects that are typical of betting sites worthy of your attention.
are very much like clocks, there are many mechanisms that make them tick, and all of them are crucial to the overall quality of the product one way or another. This is why it is a good idea to know what to look for when you are searching for a good bookmaker.

The Sportsbook

As obvious as this is, we still need to emphasize just how important it is to check out the sportsbook of a bookmaker before you go through the trouble of registering. The layout should be intuitive and easy to use, and of course, you should also make sure that your favorite sports are included. Additionally, the markets offered for these sports must also be sufficient, especially if you are a picky bettor.

The Bonuses

Newer punters might not consider this aspect to be all that relevant, but promotions tell us quite a bit about just how much (or how little) a bookie values its users. Daily and weekly promotions are especially important to check. If you wish to stick with the bookie you are eyeing, they can easily give you an idea of how lucrative the sports betting experience will be on a daily basis.

Payment Methods

This aspect is self-explanatory, there is no way for you to actually wager at a bookmaker if you cannot even deposit funds into your account, after all. Nonetheless, it should be emphasized just how crucial banking solutions are for sports betting. First, the number of methods in and of itself is of interest, since if an individual’s preferred payment method is not available, this can lead to troublesome situations. You should also check the minimum and maximum limits, especially if you wish to wager larger sums. Additionally, it is advised to go for bookies that do not impose fees on their bettors.

Mobile Solutions

More often than not, the modern-day bettor will find it difficult to dedicate time to sports betting considering just how busy we all are. Everyone’s time is precious, and a bookmaker must be available to use on smartphones if it wishes to win over busy bettors. Typically, a mobile website will be sufficient, but if you prefer a dedicated application, check if any are available for your operating system before you make an account at a sportsbook.

Popular bookies

As already mentioned, the legalization of gambling activities on the territory of Denmark made it an appealing market for foreign operators.

Although it is a small country with a population of approximately five million people, the Danes seem excited about the gambling opportunities they are provided with. Below, you can check some of the most prominent and reliable bookmakers that gladly accept Danish punters.