Denmark’s efforts to combat illegal gambling marketing have received a boost with a new collaborative agreement involving Spillemyndigheden, the country’s gambling authority, along with the Consumer Ombudsman (Forbrugerombudsmanden) and the gambling advertising board (Spilreklamenævnet).
This agreement aims to streamline efforts and enhance cooperation in tackling illicit gambling advertisements within the country. Announced jointly by Forbrugerombudsmanden, the initiative seeks to eliminate redundancy and improve efficiency in addressing these regulatory challenges.
Operationally, under the new agreement, if a gambling company fails to comply with criticisms from Spilreklamenævnet or violates rules, cases will be escalated to either the ombudsman or the gambling authority.
This ensures that regulatory breaches are promptly addressed with appropriate actions. Moreover, Forbrugerombudsmanden and Spillemyndigheden can refer complaints to the advertising board in cases where violations pertain specifically to the industry’s code of conduct, but not necessarily within the jurisdiction of the ombudsman or the gambling authority.
Torben Jensen, Consumer Ombudsman, emphasized the significance of this cooperation in enhancing oversight over gambling companies’ marketing practices. This includes improving internal communications, ensuring coordination, and avoiding duplication of efforts, all of which ultimately benefit consumers by fostering a more regulated and accountable gambling environment.
Forbrugerombudsmanden oversees compliance with Denmark’s Marketing Practices Act and other consumer protection regulations, while Spillemyndigheden focuses on enforcing marketing rules under the Gambling Act and related executive orders on gambling promotions.
Meanwhile, Spilreklamenævnet addresses complaints related to gambling advertisements that violate the industry’s code of conduct, aimed at safeguarding vulnerable groups and minimizing gambling-related harm.
Moving forward, the parties involved in this agreement will convene annually and maintain regular updates on relevant cases, enhancing their collaborative efforts in tackling illegal gambling marketing comprehensively.
This proactive approach underscores Denmark’s commitment to strengthening regulatory oversight in the gambling sector, aiming to uphold consumer protection and regulatory integrity amidst evolving marketing landscapes.
