New conditions for lottery games address competition concerns

Søren Bo Rasmussen, Head of Division at the Competition and Consumer Authority, says:

"We’ve had good collaboration with the Gambling Authority in this matter, and obviously we’re delighted that they have addressed our concerns by issuing an updated licence for lottery games. This means that we’ve strengthened the possibility of competition in the part of the market for gambling which is not protected by the monopoly without having to go through a major competition case."

At the request of the Competition and Consumer Authority, the Gambling Authority has issued an updated licence with new terms for the lottery and greyhound and horse betting. The new terms mean there is greater separation between Danske Spil’s lottery games and licensed games. Lottery games are the games which Danske Spil has a monopoly on, while licensed games are exposed to competition. The greater degree of separation means more equal competition terms in the market, thus strengthening the competition.

The Competition and Consumer Authority had concerns that Danske Spil, under the previous licence from the Gambling Authority, was able to mix the two types of games on its website and app. Among other things, this meant that customers on Danske Spil’s website were able to access both lottery and licensed games using a single login and password. Moreover, winnings from and payment for the two types of games could move to and from a single virtual wallet. This mixing of games cannot occur under the updated licence.

Now that the Danish Gambling Authority has issued the updated licence, the Competition and Consumer Authority is closing the case.

For further information, contact the Competition and Consumer Authority’s Head of Communication Hanne Arentoft by telephoning +45 41 71 50 98.