Denmark grapples with rise of illegal betting sites targeting underage individuals

In Denmark, a worrying trend has emerged with websites guiding underage individuals and those who have voluntarily excluded themselves from gambling on illegal betting sites. These sites often feature provocative headlines like “Play without MitID and bypass Rofus” and “Best casinos without Rofus,” directing users to unlicensed online gambling platforms.

Despite the illegal nature of these sites, law enforcement and the Danish Gambling Authority are unable to take them down due to a lack of legal authority. While the authority acknowledges that approximately 500,000 Danes struggle with varying degrees of gambling addiction, the number of young individuals aged 12 to 17 experiencing similar issues is proportionately significant.

Henrik Thrane Brandt, the director of the Centre for Gambling Addiction, expressed concerns about the exploitative nature of these websites, which target vulnerable individuals, including minors. He likens their actions to providing guidance to alcoholics seeking ways to drink while on medication.

The Danish Police have clarified that while they can close sites associated with illegal gambling systems, they lack the jurisdiction to address those merely promoting links to these unlicensed platforms. In 2023, illegal betting websites attracted a staggering 1.8 million visits from Denmark.

Despite the troubling circumstances, members of the Danish parliament are pushing for legislative changes. The Minister of Taxation has indicated plans to initiate discussions to provide the necessary legal framework for authorities to block these harmful websites.

As the situation stands, these websites continue to operate, compromising the safety of young individuals and undermining efforts to combat gambling addiction in Denmark.