On Monday, the Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden) announced the reopening of its licensing process for land-based casinos. This is the first formal opportunity this year for both new operators and existing ones looking to renew their 10-year licenses.
The authority is now authorized to issue permits for land-based casinos under the Consolidated Act No 1182, established on September 22, 2025, allowing for terms of up to ten years.
Interested parties must submit complete applications, along with all required documentation, by November 3, 2026, as stated in the notice from Spillemyndigheden.
Each application will enter a consultation phase involving local municipalities, police chiefs, the Ministry of Taxation, and the Ministry of Business and Industry. The Danish Maritime Authority may also be called upon when applicable.
Operators will be evaluated based on their financial stability, relevant industry experience, and liquidity to manage operational costs, alongside necessary details regarding company ownership and senior management. The assessment will also encompass geographical aspects and the target demographic proposed by the operators.
Denmark currently has seven active land-based casino licenses, with locations in Copenhagen S, Copenhagen V, Helsingør, Odense, Vejle, Aarhus, and Aalborg. The licensing reopening signifies a chance for market expansion or shifts in ownership, depending on how many permits are granted.
By the end of 2025, Spillemyndigheden had issued a cumulative total of 1,970 licenses across various gambling sectors. According to the regulator’s annual report, Spilmarkedet i tal 2025, land-based casinos experienced a 5.6% dip, generating a Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of DKK378 million ($58.26 million), which represents 3% of the overall gambling market. Meanwhile, newly permitted land-based bingo reported a modest GGR of DKK30 million, accounting for less than 1%.
The report also emphasized a significant digital transformation in Denmark's gambling landscape, with online casinos leading the GGR at DKK4.31 billion, making up 38% of the market. This reflects a year-on-year increase of 12.1% (DKK465 million), and a remarkable growth of over 139% since 2012.
