Denmark to End State Gaming Monopoly

After France earlier in the year, Denmark is the latest state to open its boarders to global competition in the lucrative gaming and gambling market.

When the plans come into effect it will open the doors for foreign gaming companies to begin advertising in Denmark. According to Jyllands-Posten newspaper’s information, only the Lotto and scratch-off ticket games will continue to be under the sole jurisdiction of Danske Spil.

The deregulation is thought to come on the back of recent European Commission lawsuits, especially against the US, claiming that state monopolies on internet gaming and gambling violate free-market rules. Of course, there will be benefits to Denmark itself. It won’t be free to enter the market.

Companies wishing to enter the Danish market will have to apply for and then pay a licensing fee (not yet disclosed). The fee, along with, along with measures to prevent gambling addiction, will be written into the new proposal, making sure money still heads into the state kitty.

Just how much can be seen through last years figures, where nearly 11 billion kroner was spent on gaming nationwide, with state profits of 2.8 billion kroner. With the Danish wunderkinds currently ousting the worlds best at poker, the trend is set to go only one way.

The opening of the internet gambling market is also good news for the Danish ran Danske Spil as the amount they have to pay back to the government will be heavily reduced due to the increased number of players in the market. Their current payback runs at over 30%.

“It will be nice to get some clarity on the issue after so many years of uncertainty,” said H.C. Madsen, Danske Spil’s managing director. “We’ll also be able to offer casino gambling and poker now, which we couldn’t do before.”

With the likes of Ladbrokes and a host of other major presences in the online poker world waiting anxiously in the wings, expect serious competition to erupt. Shuffle up and deal.