Gambling is partially regulated: online betting and casinos are legal and overseen by the Danish Gambling Authority, while local police license gaming machines and charity lotteries.
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Regulatory AuthorityDanish Gambling Authority and Greenland Police
License CostVaries
Regulation by Activity Type
Casinos
Unregulated
Online Casinos
Regulated
Betting
Regulated
Online Betting
Regulated
Lotteries
Regulated
Poker
Unregulated
Highlights
Gambling supervision in Greenland is divided between several authorities, with the police issuing licenses for gaming machines and charity lotteries
Only online casinos licensed by Denmark are permitted to operate legally in Greenland
Greenland residents can legally access offshore online gaming platforms, including non-KYC casinos that offer enhanced privacy
License holders offering gambling activities in Greenland must provide references to treatment centers for compulsive gambling
Cryptocurrency use is popular among Greenlandic players seeking privacy and faster withdrawals despite potential reduced player protections
The Danish Gambling Authority maintains an updated list of treatment centers that includes references to compulsive gambling treatment in Greenland
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Legislation
Primary Legislation
The legal framework governing gambling in Greenland is primarily based on Danish law, as Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. The core legislation regulating gambling activities in Greenland is the Danish Gambling Act, which applies to Greenland with certain adaptations. This act sets out the general legal parameters for gambling, including definitions, permitted forms of gambling, and the overarching regulatory structure. Specific provisions and adaptations for Greenland are outlined to ensure that the legislation aligns with local governance and cultural considerations.
In addition to the Danish Gambling Act, supplementary executive orders and regulations may be issued to address particular aspects of gambling operations in Greenland, ensuring that the legal framework remains current and responsive to local needs.
Regulatory Authority
The regulation and oversight of gambling in Greenland are divided between several authorities. The Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden) is the principal regulatory body responsible for supervising gambling activities, ensuring compliance with the legal framework, and issuing relevant guidance. In Greenland, the Danish Gambling Authority works in cooperation with local Greenlandic authorities to oversee the sector and ensure that regulations are effectively implemented and enforced.
Supervision of gambling operators and enforcement of legal requirements
Issuance of guidelines and adaptations specific to Greenland
Collaboration with Greenlandic authorities for localized regulatory oversight
License Types
Types of Gambling Licenses Available in Greenland
Greenland does not have its own independent gambling licensing authority. Instead, gambling activities—particularly online gambling—are regulated under the Danish licensing system, as Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
The primary type of license applicable for operators wishing to offer online casino and betting services in Greenland is the Danish online gambling license. This license covers various gambling activities, including online casinos, sports betting, and other interactive gambling products.
For land-based gambling, any licensing or permissions are also managed under Danish oversight, with specific provisions and additional requirements for operations in Greenland.
Application Process
Operators must apply to the Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden) for a license to provide gambling services accessible in Greenland.
Applications must include detailed business information, technical documentation, responsible gambling measures, and compliance with Danish and Greenlandic language requirements for player-facing information.
All documentation and player support must be available in Greenlandic for services targeting Greenlandic residents.
There is a due diligence process, including background checks on key personnel and assessment of financial stability.
Duration, Renewal, and Eligibility
Licenses are typically granted for a period of five years, after which operators must apply for renewal by demonstrating continued compliance with all regulatory requirements.
Eligibility is restricted to companies that can demonstrate technical capacity, financial solvency, and a commitment to responsible gambling practices.
Renewal applications are subject to a review of the operator’s compliance history and any changes in ownership or operational structure.
Licensing Costs, Fees, and Financial Requirements
Application fees and annual licensing fees are set by the Danish Gambling Authority and are applicable to operations in Greenland.
Costs vary depending on the type and scale of gambling services offered. For example, online casino and betting licenses require a significant upfront application fee and annual payments based on gross gaming revenue.
Applicants must provide proof of sufficient financial resources to meet operational and player protection obligations.
Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining a License
Operators must implement robust responsible gambling measures, including self-exclusion tools and clear information about problem gambling resources in Greenlandic.
Technical systems must be certified for fairness and security, and regular audits are required.
Operators must ensure all marketing and player communications comply with Danish and Greenlandic regulations, including language requirements.
Continuous compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and player protection standards is mandatory.
Operators must provide clear and accessible customer support in Greenlandic.
Gambling Tax
Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Greenland
Greenland does not have a dedicated, detailed gambling tax regime separate from Denmark. The country’s approach to gambling taxation is closely linked to Danish regulation, as licensed online casinos in Greenland are operated under Danish authority. Specific tax rates for gambling operators in Greenland are not publicly itemized in official sources. Instead, the general tax framework applicable to gambling is inherited from Denmark, unless otherwise specified by local Greenlandic authorities.
Type of Gambling
Tax Rate
Basis for Taxation
Online Casino (licensed by Denmark)
Follows Danish tax rates (generally 20% of GGR)
Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR)
Gaming Machines & Charity Lotteries
Locally regulated; specific tax rates not published
Varies (typically GGR or turnover)
Basis for Taxation
For online gambling, taxation is generally applied to Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), mirroring the Danish model.
Land-based gaming machines and charity lotteries are subject to local supervision, and their tax treatment may differ, but official rates are not publicly disclosed.
Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements
Online gambling operators licensed by Denmark must comply with Danish tax reporting and payment procedures, including regular filings and remittance of taxes based on GGR.
Operators of gaming machines and charity lotteries in Greenland are subject to local oversight, and must report and pay taxes as required by Greenlandic authorities, typically under the supervision of the police or relevant local offices.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions
No specific tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions for gambling operators in Greenland are publicly documented.
Charity lotteries may benefit from reduced obligations, but this is determined on a case-by-case basis by local authorities.
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements
Players must meet the minimum age requirement to participate in any form of gambling. Operators are responsible for ensuring that only individuals who have reached the legal gambling age are allowed to play.
Identification checks are required by licensed operators to verify the age and identity of players. However, some offshore and non-KYC (Know Your Customer) platforms may allow participation with minimal identification, which can reduce player protection.
Prohibited Activities and Game Restrictions
Only online casinos and gambling operators licensed by Denmark are permitted to legally operate in Greenland. Unlicensed gambling activities are prohibited.
There are restrictions on the types of gambling activities that can be offered, with only those specifically licensed and regulated being allowed. Any gambling outside the scope of licensed activities is prohibited.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
Operators must provide all mandatory player information in Greenlandic to ensure transparency and accessibility for local players.
Advertising and marketing of gambling services must not target minors or vulnerable groups, and must comply with strict guidelines to prevent misleading or excessive promotion.
All marketing materials must include responsible gambling messages and information about available support services.
Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures
Licensed operators are required to provide clear information about responsible gambling, including access to self-exclusion tools and limits on deposits or losses.
Operators must refer players to local treatment centers for gambling addiction and provide contact information for these services in Greenlandic.
There is a requirement to display information about the risks of gambling and to promote awareness of problem gambling support resources.
Geographic or Location Restrictions
Physical gambling venues are subject to location restrictions as determined by local authorities, with specific regulations governing where such establishments may operate.
Online gambling is restricted to platforms licensed by Denmark, ensuring that only approved operators can legally offer services to Greenlandic residents.
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Timeline
Given the available information, the historical development of gambling regulation in Greenland is not extensively documented in terms of specific dates for key laws or amendments. However, here is a structured approach to what is known about the regulation of gambling in Greenland: ## Historical Development of Gambling Regulation in Greenland While specific dates for legislative changes are not readily available, here is a general outline of how gambling regulation has evolved in Greenland:
Year/Date
Event
Early 2000s
Denmark's gambling laws began to influence Greenland, with Danish oversight over certain gambling activities.
2010s
Greenland started to develop its own framework for supervising gaming machines and charity lotteries, with the police playing a role.
Recent Years
Only online casinos licensed by Denmark are officially allowed to operate in Greenland, while residents also access offshore platforms.
2020s
A reference to a treatment centre for compulsive gambling in Greenland was updated, indicating growing awareness of responsible gaming.
This timeline highlights the general evolution of gambling regulation in Greenland, focusing on the influence of Danish laws and the development of local oversight mechanisms. Specific dates for legislative changes are not detailed in the available sources.
Requirements
Software Certification and Technical Standards
Gambling operators providing services in Greenland must ensure that their gaming software complies with technical standards as required by the Danish Gambling Authority, which oversees Greenlandic gambling operations.
All gaming systems and random number generators (RNGs) used must be certified by an independent, accredited testing laboratory to ensure fairness, randomness, and integrity of games.
Operators must provide certain information and interfaces in Greenlandic to ensure accessibility and transparency for Greenlandic players.
Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location
Operators are required to implement robust data protection measures in line with Danish and EU data protection standards, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Personal data of players must be securely stored and processed, with safeguards against unauthorized access, loss, or misuse.
There are no explicit requirements mandating that servers be physically located in Greenland; however, operators must ensure that data can be made available to regulatory authorities upon request.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures
Operators must implement comprehensive AML procedures, including customer due diligence, ongoing monitoring of transactions, and reporting of suspicious activities to relevant authorities.
KYC procedures require operators to verify the identity, age, and residence of players before allowing participation in gambling activities, in accordance with Danish AML legislation.
Enhanced due diligence is required for high-risk customers or transactions, including politically exposed persons (PEPs) and large or unusual transactions.
Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping
Operators must maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all gambling transactions, player accounts, and financial flows for a minimum period as specified by the Danish Gambling Authority.
Regular financial reporting to the regulator is mandatory, including submission of audited financial statements prepared according to recognized accounting standards.
Operators must ensure that all records are readily accessible for inspection by regulatory authorities and that audit trails are maintained for all critical system activities.
Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools
Operators are required to implement technical tools that enable players to set deposit, loss, and time limits on their gambling activities.
Systems must allow for self-exclusion and provide clear, accessible mechanisms for players to take breaks or permanently exclude themselves from gambling.
Operators must display information about responsible gambling and provide references to local support and treatment centers for problem gambling, including contact details in Greenlandic.
Technical systems must be capable of blocking access to gambling services for self-excluded individuals and must synchronize with relevant exclusion registers.
Gambling regulations are subject to change. The information provided on this page was accurate at the time of publication, but may not reflect the current regulatory landscape. Always consult official sources for the most up-to-date information before making any gambling-related decisions.
