GREF Chair Anders Dorph Aims for Unified European Front Against Illegal Gambling

Denmark has established itself as one of the most proactive markets in Europe regarding the fight against illegal gambling. Under the leadership of Anders Dorph, Director of the Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden) and current Chair of the Gambling Regulators’ European Forum (GREF), the strategy has moved beyond national borders. The challenge is significant, as illegal operators utilize technical loopholes and global platforms to infiltrate regulated jurisdictions.

In a recent discussion, Dorph clarified that no single tool is enough to eliminate the black market. Instead, Denmark employs a mix of repressive measures and preventive education. Cooperation with major technology companies is central to this strategy, as they act as gatekeepers to the digital market. The goal is to significantly increase pressure on these platforms through a coordinated European approach.

Numbers and facts

The results of Danish enforcement efforts are notable. In 2025 alone, Denmark successfully blocked 334 illegal gambling websites. These DNS blocks are just one part of the equation. The authority works closely with tech giants such as Google, Apple, Meta, and Twitch to remove unauthorized content from their platforms. A key component of the Danish strategy is the official Spillemyndigheden label, which provides protection for licensed operators and security for consumers.

Dorph expressed particular concern regarding the blurring lines between gaming and gambling. For nearly a decade, Denmark has been blocking illegal skin betting sites that often target children and teenagers. This includes platforms like Roblox, which have an extremely young user base. The authority has launched targeted information campaigns for parents to raise awareness about gambling elements creeping into children's bedrooms via computers and tablets.

"In GREF we want to form a common front and put a joint pressure on the big tech platforms to collaborate with us." - Anders Dorph, Director of Spillemyndigheden and GREF Chair

Background

The background for these intensified efforts lies in a new political agreement in Denmark. This agreement not only introduces tighter advertising restrictions for legal gambling but also provides the regulator with sharper enforcement tools. For the first time, Spillemyndigheden has the legal basis to block affiliate websites that actively promote illegal sites. Furthermore, the implementation of payment blocking is being explored to disrupt the flow of funds to unlicensed operators.

Dorph was appointed Chair of GREF in June 2025, succeeding Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin. GREF, which brings together regulators from across Europe, is intended to move from a platform of knowledge exchange to one of concrete joint action under his leadership. This includes ongoing dialogues with Google to establish standardized processes for removing illegal advertisements.

Why it matters for German players

These developments are highly relevant for German players, as the situation in Germany mirrors many of these challenges. The Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) also focuses on channeling players into the legal market. Anyone playing in Germany must ensure the provider is listed on the official whitelist of the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL). Only there do the strict German protection measures apply.

These measures include the cross-operator deposit limit of 1,000 euros per month and the stake limit of 1 euro per spin on virtual slot machines. These rules are monitored via the LUGAS system. If European regulators like Dorph succeed, it will become increasingly difficult for German players to accidentally land on illegal sites, as their visibility on search engines and social media will decrease due to coordinated blocking.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Casinos with a GGL license benefit directly from stronger enforcement against the black market. A major complaint from licensed operators is often the lack of visibility compared to unregulated competitors who do not have to adhere to advertising bans or deposit limits. If GREF successfully forms a "common front" under Dorph, it improves the competitiveness of legal providers.

Planned measures against affiliates promoting illegal sites could also serve as a model for Germany. A clean market not only protects the player but also secures tax revenue and the long-term stability of the regulated industry. For GGL-licensed companies, this means greater legal certainty and fair competition in the battle for customers.