PokerStars Among 38 Operators Granted Online Gaming Licenses in Denmark
On Thursday, the Danish Gambling Authority announced that 38 operators have been granted licenses to operate online gambling sites when the new regulatory framework goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2012.
Among the operators awarded licenses include PokerStars, Betfair, 888, bwin.party, PKR and Unibet. In total, nearly 200 domain names will be allowed to offer online gambling in Denmark. Each operator will pay a 20 percent flat tax on gross revenues from the online industry.
Denmark is the latest in a growing line of European countries to implement a new online gambling structure. The country currently lacks any sort or regulatory policy regarding the issue, but proposed legislation was approved both by the Danish Parliament and the European Commission earlier this year to ensure that online gambling would be regulated beginning next year.
"From January the gambling market will be orderly and we will ensure that holders of a betting and online casino license to operate on the Danish market also contribute to the society," said Thor Möger Pedersen, Denmark's Minister of Taxation. "Danes as well as the many associations supported by the gambling market can be joyful."
Among the Danes pleased with the impending legislation is Team PokerStars Pro and Denmark native Theo Jorgensen. “Danish regulation is an important positive milestone for the development and respect of poker worldwide,” Jorgensen said in a press release from PokerStars. “I’m looking forward to playing on www.PokerStars.dk and competing against players from around the world.”
Read the press release at Skat.dk for more.
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