Danish tax minister pushes gambling reform with addiction crisis affecting 500,000

• Denmark’s Tax Minister Rasmus Stoklund has called for parliamentary negotiations on gambling reform to address growing addiction rates affecting 500,000 citizens
• The proposed reforms include whistle-to-whistle advertising bans during sports broadcasts, enhanced prevention programmes, and increased funding for treatment centres
• More than 60,000 Danes have registered with the national ROFUS self-exclusion system, highlighting the scale of gambling-related problems

Denmark’s Minister of Taxation, Rasmus Stoklund, has called on parliament to begin negotiations on comprehensive gambling reforms to tackle the growing addiction crisis affecting approximately 500,000 Danish citizens.

The urgent appeal comes as reports emerge of children gambling during school hours, with pupils placing bets between lessons as part of what authorities describe as a national crisis. The scale of the problem has prompted calls for immediate legislative action.

The minister emphasised the serious consequences for both gamblers and their families, describing it as “a growing problem that we must now find good political solutions to together”

“I am very much looking forward to starting the gambling negotiations with parties in the Danish Parliament. They have been required for a long time, because far too many Danes have problems with gambling, and some suffer from addiction” Stoklund said.

“This can have very serious consequences for those who gamble, but also for their families, friends, and relationships with those around them. It is a growing problem for which we must now find good political solutions to together.”

“Fortunately, we agree that development must be slowed down. That is why I am pleased that I can now call on the parties in the Danish Parliament to negotiate so that we can jointly find long-term solutions to the problems,” he added.

Advertising restrictions take centre stage

Stoklund has criticised the increasingly aggressive marketing culture, particularly during televised sports events, proposing a whistle-to-whistle ban on gambling advertising during sports broadcasts. The proposed measure would prevent all betting advertisements throughout entire matches, addressing concerns about constant exposure to gambling promotions.

“The marketing culture has become too aggressive. We all see this when watching football on TV,” Stoklund commented.

The minister warned that sports advertising reaches families watching together at home, making gambling appear normal to young people who may not understand the risks involved.

Self-exclusion system reveals scale of crisis

More than 60,000 people have already registered with ROFUS, the Danish Gambling Authority’s self-exclusion system, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to combat gambling addiction. The system, established in 2012, allows users to voluntarily block themselves from participating in all forms of licensed gambling in Denmark.

Recent data shows that 58% of male registrants are under 40 years old, with men comprising 96% of those under 20 who have self-excluded. This demographic trend highlights persistent issues with problematic gambling behaviour among younger men.

Treatment and prevention measures

Stoklund has proposed increasing funding and improving conditions for treatment centres to better support those already affected by gambling addiction. The minister stressed that prevention programmes are essential to reducing the number of Danes who develop gambling problems.

“Prevention is absolutely central to ensuring that fewer Danes develop gambling problems. I am also concerned that we ensure effective and targeted tools for those who already have problems with gambling,” Stoklund said.

Industry and political consensus

Stoklund emphasised that both the gaming industry and political parties have expressed a desire to address the issue. The minister noted agreement across the political spectrum that the current development must be slowed down.

The reforms come after Denmark conducted its largest-ever crackdown on illegal online gambling earlier this summer, with courts ordering 178 unlicensed gaming sites to be blocked by telecom providers.