Danish tax minister calls for talks on gambling reform

By Sonja Lindenberg — 15 Sep, 2025

Summary

Denmark’s Minister of Taxation, Rasmus Stoklund, has urged parliamentary parties to begin negotiations on new measures to reduce gambling-related harm. The proposals centre on tighter marketing rules (including a proposed ‘whistle-to-whistle’ ban on gambling ads during sports broadcasts), strengthened prevention programmes and increased funding and better conditions for treatment centres. The Ministry says roughly 500,000 Danes experience some level of gambling problem and more than 60,000 people are registered with ROFUS, the national self-exclusion system. The call follows Denmark’s recent large-scale crackdown on unlicensed online gambling sites.

Key Points

Rasmus Stoklund has invited parties in the Danish Parliament to negotiate long-term measures to tackle gambling harm.
Proposed focus areas: stricter marketing rules, prevention initiatives and expanded treatment capacity and funding.
Stoklund criticised aggressive gambling advertising, particularly around televised sport, and supports a whistle-to-whistle advertising ban.
The Ministry estimates ~500,000 Danes face gambling-related problems; over 60,000 have used ROFUS self-exclusion.
Denmark recently ordered telecoms to block 178 unlicensed iGaming sites as part of an enforcement push.

Content summary

Stoklund said gambling problems affect gamblers and their families and that political solutions are overdue. He noted broad agreement from both industry and political parties that the upward trend in gambling harm must be slowed. Prevention — to reduce new cases of problematic gambling — and improved treatment for those already affected are central to the minister’s proposals. The article links these policy moves to recent enforcement actions against unlicensed operators.

Context and relevance

This push sits within a wider European trend of tougher scrutiny on gambling marketing and consumer protections. For operators and marketers, the suggested advertising restrictions and growing enforcement against unlicensed sites signal a regulatory environment that may tighten further. For health and social services, the plan to increase funding for treatment centres points to possible changes in service provision and referral pathways.

Author note

Punchy: Stoklund’s move telegraphs political momentum — not just talk. If you work in iGaming, ad-tech or sports broadcasting in Denmark or neighbouring markets, this could mean real operational and commercial change. Read the full details if you need to adapt marketing, compliance or support services.

Why should I read this

Short and blunt — if you do anything connected to gambling in Denmark (or sell into it), these talks could change how you advertise, who you can reach and how much you’ll need to invest in compliance and player support. If you’re on the health or policy side, it’s about more money and better treatment for people actually harmed. This gives you the headlines without the fluff.