Denmark Opens Land-Based Casino Licensing Despite Declining Retail Gambling Revenue

Denmark has reopened applications for land-based casino licences, inviting both new operators and existing licence holders to compete for licences of up to ten years, even as the country's retail casino sector continues to experience declining revenues. The move reflects the Danish Gambling Authority's commitment to maintaining a competitive and well-regulated land-based market while adapting to significant shifts in consumer gambling preferences toward online platforms.

The new licensing process follows legislative changes introduced under Denmark's Consolidated Gambling Act, which authorises the Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden) to grant casino licences for periods of up to ten years. Interested applicants must submit complete applications and all supporting documentation by 3 November 2026. The licensing round represents the first formal opportunity this year for new entrants to establish land-based casino operations in Denmark or for existing operators to renew their licences.

Applications will undergo a comprehensive assessment involving consultations with several public authorities, including the relevant municipality, local police, the Ministry of Taxation and the Ministry of Business and Industry. Where appropriate, the Danish Maritime Authority may also participate in the evaluation. Regulators will assess applicants based on their financial strength, operational experience, corporate governance, ownership structure, senior management suitability, liquidity and the viability of their proposed casino projects. Geographic considerations and the intended customer base will also influence licensing decisions.

The licensing initiative comes at a time when Denmark's land-based casino industry is facing continued economic pressure. According to the Danish Gambling Authority's latest market data, retail casinos generated gross gaming revenue (GGR) of DKK378 million during 2025, representing a 5.6% decline compared with the previous year and accounting for only 3% of the country's total regulated gambling market. The figures illustrate the continuing contraction of the physical casino segment as more consumers choose digital gambling products.

By contrast, online casinos continue to dominate the Danish gambling market. Online casino revenue reached approximately DKK4.31 billion in 2025, representing 38% of total gambling revenue and recording double-digit annual growth. Since the market's liberalisation, online gambling has expanded significantly, highlighting the long-term digital transformation of Denmark's regulated gambling industry and presenting an increasingly competitive environment for land-based operators.

Denmark currently has seven licensed land-based casinos located across the country, including venues in Copenhagen, Helsingør, Odense, Vejle, Aarhus and Aalborg. Depending on the outcome of the current application process, the number of licensed operators could increase or existing ownership structures could change, potentially reshaping the country's retail casino landscape over the coming decade.

The reopening of the licensing process demonstrates that Danish regulators continue to view land-based casinos as an important component of the regulated gambling market despite declining revenues. At the same time, the rigorous licensing criteria reinforce Denmark's emphasis on financial stability, responsible gambling, effective governance and regulatory compliance. For prospective operators, the process presents an opportunity to enter one of Europe's most mature gambling markets, while also highlighting the commercial challenges of operating physical casinos in an industry increasingly driven by digital channels.

By fLEXI tEAM