EU iGaming Weekly: Denmark Blocks Polymarket and Ireland Tightens AML Rules

The European gambling landscape is currently undergoing a phase of intense regulatory adjustments. This is particularly evident in Denmark, where the supervisory authority Spillemyndigheden is once again cracking down on unlicensed providers. A total of 98 domains were placed on the blocklist, with one prominent name standing out: Polymarket. The prediction market platform, which has garnered international attention, now faces technical hurdles as Danish authorities scrutinize betting on life events. Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt used sharp words, emphasizing that a human life is not a betting slip.

While Denmark relies on web blocks, Ireland is laying the groundwork for a comprehensive restructuring of its oversight. The Irish government has launched a national anti-money laundering (AML) strategy that identifies gambling as a sector in urgent need of action. Four specific targets have already been defined for the future Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), which must be implemented by the second quarter of 2027. These include the introduction of closed-loop payments, where withdrawals must be returned to the original deposit account, and clear industry standards for cryptocurrencies as a source of funds.

Numbers and facts

A look at the economic indicators from Lithuania shows that the online gambling market continues to grow strongly. In the first half of 2026, Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) rose by 16.8% to 153.6 million euros. Particularly impressive is the share of remote gambling, which now accounts for nearly 78% of the total market. While land-based revenue fell by 5%, online casinos and Category A virtual slot machines generated massive growth. Slot machines alone contributed 85.7 million euros, representing a one-third increase compared to the same period last year.

In the Netherlands, a study by the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) is providing food for thought. Data from May 2025 shows that 41% of new accounts in the 18 to 24-year-old age group were opened by individuals who had just turned 18. Of these, 38% created their account within one month of their birthday. Interestingly, the study refutes the assumption that young adults find their way to gambling through sports betting. A full 72% of the studied accounts started directly with pure casino games.

Background

The legal processing of losses at unlicensed providers remains a perennial topic. In Finland, a landmark ruling was recently issued by the Supreme Administrative Court. Previously, winnings from offshore sites (e.g., from Curacao) were taxed game by game, without allowing for the deduction of stakes. The court now ruled 3 to 2 that the tax liability must be calculated per play session. Players are now allowed to deduct losses within the same session from their winnings, which reduces the effective tax burden. However, the system remains complex, as losses from one session cannot be offset against winnings from another.

In the UK, the Gambling Commission is also taking tough action. The provider QuinnBet must make a payment of over 609,000 pounds because protective mechanisms for deposit limits failed during a platform migration. This led to 194 customers depositing funds that exceeded their self-chosen limits.

"A human life is not a betting slip." - Jakob Engel-Schmidt, Minister for Taxation and Economic Growth in Denmark

Why it matters for German players

For German players, these news items from abroad are a clear signal of the stability and necessity of domestic regulation through the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). While countries like Ireland are only now establishing rules for closed-loop payments for 2027, such mechanisms are already standard in Germany to prevent money laundering. The strict requirements of the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL) ensure that only providers with a German license can be on the official whitelist.

The tendency observed in the Netherlands for young adults to show high account activity immediately after their 18th birthday is mitigated in Germany by the central LUGAS blocking system and strict deposit limits of 1,000 euros per month, as well as the 1-euro stake limit per spin on virtual slots. German customers should ensure they play exclusively at GGL-licensed casinos, as only there is full legal protection and compliance with player protection guaranteed.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For operators licensed in Germany, European developments represent a confirmation of their path but also a competitive advantage through legal certainty. While platforms like Polymarket are blocked in Denmark and France, GGL casinos operate within a state-controlled framework. The technological implementation of limits and AML requirements, which is still in the planning stages in Ireland, is part of the mandatory program for maintaining a license in Germany. The GGL meticulously monitors whether requirements for deposit limits and the connection to LUGAS are functioning. However, operators must prepare for the fact that the discussion about youth protection, as conducted in the Netherlands, could further tighten regulatory requirements in Germany in the future.