New protection measures

Scandinavian neighbors Denmark and Norway are making changes to provide better player protections in the gambling industry. Denmark has implemented a bettor ID card system, while Norway is pushing for account-based gambling. Both options will serve as a way to better protect consumers as they access gambling activities.

Denmark has already started to distribute player ID cards for more secure gambling. In Norway, gambling regulator Lotteritilsynet has suggested account-based play across all products to ensure quality consumer protections.

Enhancing player protections in Denmark

Danske Spil has started to distribute new player ID cards in Denmark, moving land-based betting to an account-based digital system. The card is known as “Sikkert Spil” (Safe Play).

players are required to use the card to bet

Oddset and Tips service retailers are the first to offer the new card, which is mandatory for gambling. Players are required to use the card to bet via kiosks and at gas stations and supermarkets in the country.

Starting on October 31, customers will be required to provide the card – either the physical card or the mobile app – to verify their identify. Danske Licens Spil director Niels Erik Folmann commented that over the years, protection measures have been developed to ensure children and young people do not have access to gaming.

Safeguarding children

According to Folmann, the effort has unfortunately not been completely successful, as it is still too easy for minors to play in shops. To stop this, Danske Spil has introduced Safe Games. The hope is that players will welcome the new ID process and will see it as a way to provide further player protections in Denmark. Folmann added:

By using the Game ID, we can together protect minors from gambling.”

Folmann stated further that Safe Play cards will allow regulators to follow the cash flow. The card will provide a new opportunity to fight match-fixing and money laundering, as it can be used to trace payments from the kiosk to the match.

Account-based play in Norway

In nearby Norway, gambling regulator Lotteritilsynet has suggested that account-based play be used across all products. The regulator recently responded to a consultation by the Ministry of Culture regarding gambling regulatory reform.

The consultation started in June as a way to review a consolidation of the Lottery Act, Gambling Act, and Totalisator Act into one regulatory framework. The European Commission was notified of proposed changes in September.

the suggested changes would help bolster player protections

In response to the consultation, Lotteritilsynet said that the suggested changes would help bolster player protections. The regulator would like to see a provision added that requires gambling only be open to players who have registered an account with a legal provider.

The regulator stated further that Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto should be able to completely review a user’s gambling activity so that they can maintain a high standard of consumer protection.

Prohibit direct competition

Lotteritilsynet is also requesting that a provision be included that will ban direct competition to state-owned operators. The regulator feels it is needed because Norsk Tipping offered online casino content that was associated with gambling behavior problems, but the games deemed safe because the operator offered strict protection controls.

The regulator feels that direct competition will put players at risk and wants to see Norsk Tipping as the only operator to offer such games.

The consultation by the Ministry of Culture ended on September 29. The legislation will be subject to a standstill period mandated by the European Commission until November 13.