On Monday, the Danish Gambling Authority, known as Spillemyndigheden, announced the reopening of its licensing process for land-based casinos. This marks the first chance this year for new operators to apply for a license or for existing operators to renew their ten-year licenses.
According to the Consolidated Act No 1182, enacted on September 22, 2025, the regulator can now issue permits for land-based casinos with terms of up to a decade.
Interested companies must submit complete applications, including all necessary documentation, by November 3, 2026, as stated in the agency's notice.
The application process will involve a consultation among several parties, including the local municipality, the police chief, the Ministry of Taxation, and the Ministry of Business and Industry. The Danish Maritime Authority may also participate in relevant cases.
Applications will be evaluated based on several criteria: the financial stability of the operators, their experience within the industry, their liquidity to cover operational costs, and relevant details regarding company ownership and senior management. Additionally, geographical factors and the intended customer base will play a role in the assessment.
Currently, Denmark has seven active licenses for land-based casinos, with establishments located in cities such as Copenhagen, Helsingør, Odense, Vejle, Aarhus, and Aalborg. The reopening of this licensing process presents an opportunity for market growth or potential ownership changes, depending on the number of permits that will be granted.
By the end of 2025, Spillemyndigheden had issued a total of 1,970 licenses across various gambling categories. As highlighted in the regulator’s annual report for 2025, Spilmarkedet i tal 2025, land-based casinos experienced a decline of 5.6%, generating a gross gaming revenue (GGR) of DKK378 million ($58.26 million), which accounted for just 3% of the overall gambling market.
For the first time, newly liberalized land-based bingo reported a modest GGR of DKK30 million, which is less than 1% of the market. The report also noted a significant digital shift, with online casinos leading the market with a GGR of DKK4.31 billion, making up 38% of the total and marking a 12.1% increase from the previous year, more than doubling since 2012.
