Operator News
Spillemyndigheden highlights how 50,000 Danes have banned themselves from gambling
By Phil - 15 April 2024
More and more Danes have chosen to exclude themselves from gambling with the toal in April of people in the Register of Volunteers Excluded Players (ROFUS) coming in at 50,000. Almost two-thirds, 64 per cent, have chose to exclude themselves definitively.
The Gambling Authority established in 2012 Register of Voluntarily Excluded Gamblers (ROFUS), which was one of several political initiatives to combat gambling addiction. Danish players have the option to exclude themselves with a few clicks on a computer or smartphone from online gambling, physical casinos and physical betting. Since the register was created, an ever-increasing number of Danes have chosen to use it. By the end of 2012, 1,500 Danes registered in ROFUS.
Danish regulatory authority Spillemyndigheden said: “The increasing number of registered players in ROFUS may be due to the fact that the Gambling Authority has had an increased focus in recent years on spreading knowledge of the register. Moreover, it has since on 1 January 2020, it was a requirement that online game providers operating in Danish gambling market as well as at physical casinos in Denmark, must refer to ROFUS in their marketing of games. From 1 October 2023, it also became a requirement for physical betting providers.”
Around 32,000 people have opted to ban themselves permanently. If a player wants to temporarily exclude himself from gambling, he has different options in relation to how long the exclusion should last. It can last 24 hours or one, three or six months. The majority choose to exclude themselves from gambling for several months. Thus, approx. 17 per cent chose to exclude themselves for 6 months and 12 per cent. for 3 months. The rest approx. 7 per cent has chosen to exclude himself for a month
Spillemyndigheden added: “A final exclusion is basically permanent and does not have to be renewed. If the player regrets the final exclusion, the person concerned can however deregister from ROFUS after one year has passed. The player does this by requesting the Gambling Authority to be deleted from the register. The player can no earlier than seven days after and no later than 30 days after the request confirm the request in order for the deletion to be carried out. Only then will the player have access again for gambling. The reflection period has been introduced to strengthen consumer protection.”
