Danish authorities have mandated internet service providers to block 98 gambling websites, including Polymarket, for operating without local licenses. This action follows a court order issued in July 2026, enforcing national gambling regulations.
What Happened
Denmark’s Frederiksberg court officially ordered Spillemyndigheden, the country’s gambling regulator, to require internet providers to block access to 98 gambling websites via DNS blocking, according to EUROPE SAYS. This measure includes the prediction betting platform Polymarket. The court’s decision was made on July 8, 2026, though the Ministry of Taxation and Economic Growth publicly announced the news on August 19, 2026.
The blocking measure became effective on August 6, 2026, for all 98 websites. Government officials indicated that these websites were offering gambling services to Danish users without obtaining the necessary licenses or approvals from the gambling regulator. Users attempting to access these platforms are now redirected to a page explaining that the domain is classified as illegal within Denmark.
Key Details
- The Frederiksberg court issued the blocking order on July 8, 2026, as reported by EUROPE SAYS.
- The Ministry of Taxation and Economic Growth announced the block publicly on August 19, 2026, according to EUROPE SAYS.
- The enforcement brings the total number of blocked platforms in Denmark to 870 since the measure’s inception in 2012, as stated by EUROPE SAYS.
- Minister for Taxation and Economic Growth, Jakob Engel-Schmidt, emphasized that businesses operating in the Danish market must adhere to Danish rules, according to EUROPE SAYS.
- Polymarket and other blocked sites, such as Ice Casino, 22Bet, Cbet, and Instant Casino, reportedly operated without appropriate licenses from the Danish regulator.
Why It Matters
This action underscores Denmark’s regulatory stance on unlicensed gambling operations targeting its citizens. The blocking of Polymarket, a platform for prediction betting, highlights the regulator’s broader interpretation of gambling activities subject to national licensing requirements. The Minister for Taxation and Economic Growth, Jakob Engel-Schmidt, specifically cited concerns regarding the ethical implications of speculating on events like war, stating that “A human life is not a betting slip.” This enforcement illustrates a continued commitment to regulating the online gambling market and protecting consumers from unauthorized operators.
What’s Next
No explicit forward-looking information is provided in the source material regarding further actions beyond the current blocking measures. The Ministry of Taxation and Economic Growth, however, stated that the enforcement has brought the number of blocked platforms to 870 since the launch of the measure in 2012, suggesting an ongoing regulatory effort.
Originally reported by EUROPE SAYSPublished