SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Members of Denmark’s cabinet are split regarding the potential sale of state-owned gambling operator Danske Spil. Last week Danish news sources’ reported that ruling conservative-liberal party Venstre were considering the potential sale or break-up of Danske Spil assets.
At present, it is reported that Venstre and gambling stakeholders would prefer to sell-off Danske Spil’s online gambling assets to the private sector (igaming and online sports betting divisions) while keeping its lucrative lottery business.
Venstre’s proposal is said to be supported by Dansk Folkeparti (Peoples Party) and Liberal Alliance (Liberal Party).
Brian Mikkelsen, Deputy Chair of Denmark’s Conservative Parliamentary syndicate, commented to Danish newspaper Borsen that he believed that the sale could happen within the next 12 months. Mikkelsen further detailed that Venstre and its advisors believed that the sale to the private sector would be easy to undertake, as Danske Spil would have plenty of suitors eyeing to enter the Danish gambling market
Nevertheless, Mikkelsen and Venstre’s sale plan has been criticised by cabinet members who have stated that the selling Danske Spil would be short-sighted as the operator has continually generated revenues for Danish social and charitable causes.
Danske Spil made a profit of DKK 743 million (£80 million) for the state in 2015.
Critics of Venstre’s proposals have further stated, that the party would be better off restructuring Denmark’s licensing processes and regulatory framework for online gambling services, which would result in Danish consumers playing safely on licensed operators and making the market more appealing to international businesses.
