Danish Sports Bettors Must Present ID Cards When Placing Bets Under New Law

Posted on: September 26, 2023, 06:54h. 

Last updated on: September 26, 2023, 03:37h.

Erik Gibbs Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Gaming Business, Global Gaming.

In a press release on Monday, the Ministry of Taxation confirmed that sports bettors in Denmark will be required to identify themselves each time they place a bet. The plan has been in the works for nearly a decade.

The Danish flag flying from a boat on the water
The Danish flag flying from a boat on the water. The country is making the use of ID cards mandatory for sports betting. (Image: Dreamstime)

Each player will have an ID card with a specific identification number. Players must present the card each time to set deposit limits and cash out winnings. It’s up to the operator to determine if they want to issue a physical card or a digital-only alternative. The ID cards are operator-specific, according to the ministry.

The idea has been discussed since 2015 and finally found enough support to become a permanent fixture in sports betting in 2021. The idea was to implement the change in 2022, but the plan was delayed.

The card will roll out in four days.

How the Card Works

Danish bettors must register once with the individual operator to get their card. After that, the player will have to use the card every time he or she places a bet in a physical shop.

When the game card is scanned, data is sent to the game provider, who automatically checks the necessary information and reports to the shop whether the bet is approved. In theory, this means buying land-based bets anonymously will no longer be possible.

This will also make placing wagers considerably difficult for anyone under 18. It should also be impossible for self-excluded persons to bet in brick-and-mortar shops. The same applies to players who have exceeded the amount limit they have set themselves.

If a player loses a betting slip, the registered player ID data can verify the bets and the winnings.

Anyone in the Register of Voluntarily Excluded Players (ROFUS, for its Danish acronym) as of October 1 will automatically be rejected when placing a bet.

The goal behind the initiative, supported by the Danish gaming regulator Spillemyndigheden, is to prevent money laundering by disallowing anonymous bets, according to the program’s supporters.