Denmark Reopens Land-Based Casino Licence Applications
Denmark Reopens Land-Based Casino Licence Applications – Regulator Reviews Market Shift Toward Online Gambling
Key Takeaways
- Denmark has reopened the application window for land-based casino licences until November 3, 2026.
- Spillemyndigheden will assess finances, ownership, management, location, and target customer groups.
- Physical casinos generated DKK378 million in gross gaming revenue in 2025, down 5.6% year-on-year.
- Online casinos produced DKK4.31 billion in 2025, accounting for 38% of total gambling revenue.
- Overall Danish gross gaming revenue reached DKK11.5 billion in 2025.
Application Window Open Until November 2026
Denmark has reopened applications for land-based casino licences, giving new operators and existing licence holders until November 3, 2026, to submit their requests. The process is overseen by the national gambling regulator, Spillemyndigheden.
The current application round follows legal changes introduced under Consolidated Act No 1182 of September 22, 2025. Under these rules, land-based casino permits can now be granted for periods of up to ten years. The extended licence duration defines the regulatory framework for operators seeking long-term physical casino operations in the country.
Denmark currently hosts casino venues in Copenhagen S, Copenhagen V, Helsingor, Odense, Vejle, Aarhus and Aalborg. The reopening of the licence window applies to this land-based segment, which operates alongside online gambling and other regulated verticals.
Regulatory Review Covers Finances, Ownership and Location
Spillemyndigheden will conduct a detailed review of each application. According to the regulator’s framework, the assessment includes company finances and liquidity, previous casino experience, ownership structures and senior management.
In addition to corporate suitability, the regulator will evaluate the proposed location of the casino and the intended customer groups. This indicates that both financial stability and operational planning form part of the approval process.
The regulator may also consult other public authorities. These can include the relevant municipality, the local police chief, the Ministry of Taxation and the Ministry of Business and Industry. Where relevant, the Danish Maritime Authority may also participate in the review. The multi-agency approach outlines how land-based casino licensing interacts with local administration, taxation and sector oversight.
In 2025, Denmark listed 1,970 gambling permits across all categories. The land-based casino licences now open for application represent one segment within this broader regulated market structure.
Land-Based Casino Revenue Declines as Online Segment Expands
The reopening of the licence window takes place against the backdrop of shifting market dynamics. In 2025, physical casinos generated DKK378 million in gross gaming revenue. This represented a decline of 5.6% compared with the previous year.
The land-based segment accounted for 3% of Denmark’s total gambling market. Since 2012, physical casino revenue has decreased by 35% when adjusted for inflation. These figures illustrate a long-term contraction in the relative economic weight of brick-and-mortar casinos within the national gambling landscape.
By contrast, online casinos produced DKK4.31 billion in gross gaming revenue during 2025. This equaled 38% of the Danish gambling market. Revenue in the online segment increased by 12.1% compared with 2024 and has grown by 139% since 2012.
The data shows that digital products now account for a significantly larger share of total gambling activity than physical casinos. For operators assessing entry into the Danish market, the figures outline the relative scale of each segment.
Overall Gambling Revenue Reaches DKK11.5 Billion
Denmark recorded total gross gaming revenue of DKK11.5 billion in 2025. Within this total, online casinos and land-based casinos represent distinct components with markedly different growth trajectories.
Land-based bingo, which entered the liberalised market, generated DKK30 million during its first year. This left the segment below 1% of total gambling revenue. The comparison across verticals highlights how market share is distributed among different forms of gambling in Denmark.
For international operators and comparison users evaluating market conditions, these figures clarify the scale of opportunity across retail and digital channels. While land-based casinos remain licensed and operational, their revenue contribution is significantly smaller than that of online casino services.
Our Assessment
Denmark’s decision to reopen the land-based casino licence window establishes a defined regulatory opportunity until November 3, 2026, under updated legislation that allows permits of up to ten years. The application process involves financial, operational and ownership scrutiny, with input from multiple public authorities.
At the same time, official revenue data shows that land-based casinos generated DKK378 million in 2025, representing 3% of the total gambling market, while online casinos generated DKK4.31 billion and accounted for 38% of overall revenue. Total gross gaming revenue in Denmark reached DKK11.5 billion in 2025. Together, these figures frame the regulatory development within a market that has increasingly shifted toward online gambling.
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