Denmark has implemented restrictions on Polymarket due to its operation of unlicensed gambling services. This action follows a ruling from the Frederiksberg Court affirming that Polymarket is providing gambling services to Danish citizens without the necessary authorization. As a result, the Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden) has added Polymarket to a list of 98 gambling websites that are blocked in the country.
The court's decision, which was handed down on July 8, prompted Polymarket to file an appeal against the ruling. Tax and Growth Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt expressed his disapproval of Polymarket's markets related to wars and critical global events, stating, "A human life is not a betting slip. And war should not be something you can sit at home on the sofa and speculate on to make money."
The restrictions are enforced through DNS blocking by Danish telecommunications providers, who redirect users attempting to access the affected websites to a notification from the authorities declaring the sites illegal. Under Danish law, gambling companies are required to hold a local license to operate and serve customers in Denmark. Factors indicating that a site targets Danish clients include providing information in Danish, accepting payments in Danish currency, utilizing local payment methods, offering local customer support, and developing betting options tailored for the Danish market.
The court ruling illustrates that the regulatory body has effectively demonstrated that Polymarket meets the criteria for this decision.
