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Danish Government Plans to Re-Enforce Gambling Monopoly

"With new plans to tighten up regulations on private gambling firms set to receive cross-party support, Tax Minister Svend Erik Hovmand is now hoping that the proposals do not run foul of the European Union's rules on restrictive practice. Designed to limit competition from foreign bookmakers, especially via the Internet, the so-called 'tips law' could face a challenge from Brussels later in the year.

"…However lofty it's stated intentions, say critics, there is a growing apprehension over what the measures will mean in practice. Critics claim that the government is preserving what is, in practice, an illegal monopoly - and furthermore, the new law could result in job losses and closures across the industry.

"…Formulated in response to the growing popularity of Internet betting, the government's proposals will restrict the activities of foreign bookmakers by outlawing their advertisements in the Danish media. They will also make it illegal for such companies to employ people in Denmark.

"Those affected would include Danes currently working for foreign bookmakers, and newspapers and Internet sites relying on cash from their advertisements - including the weekly newspaper 'Tipstjeneste,' which is one of the government's staunchest critics…"

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