Denmark political parties agree bonus cap among new problem gambling curbs
Bonuses capped at approx. £118 with a maximum 10x wagering requirement
A cross-party coalition including the Danish government has agreed to launch several new initiatives aimed at preventing the rise of problem gambling in Denmark.
Under the agreement, all bonuses should be capped at DKK1,000 (£118) with a maximum wagering requirement of 10x, along with greater transparency in Ts&Cs.
The restrictions are set to be introduced on 1 January 2019. These latest measures are an adjustment to the gaming liberalisation laws implemented earlier this year, which ended the monopoly of Danske Spil over the Danish market, opening it up to international operators for the first time.
All players who voluntarily exclude themselves from gambling sites must not be sent any further marketing materials from gambling operators and an impartial problem gambling hotline will be established.
In addition, the industry is required to set up a voluntary code of practice relating to in-game advertisements and the use of pop-up windows containing information on game time and gaming spend, similar to Reality Checks in the UK.
The cross-party group also said all gambling advertisements made during children’s television broadcasts should be restricted as they ‘give the impression of social acceptance through gambling’.
In a statement accompanying the agreement, Danish tax minister Karsten Lauritzen said “The liberalisation of the gaming market has been a success, in that we have brought an unregulated market under control, while Danish players have been able to choose freely and safely between different gaming opportunities.
“At the same time, of course, we must do our best to prevent players from developing game dependence. That is why I am pleased with today’s broad political agreement aimed at protecting Danish players as well as possible.”