The Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden) has issued a notice emphasizing recent changes to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. This list identifies jurisdictions under increased monitoring due to higher risks of fraud and financial crime. The regulator urged all licensed gambling operators in Denmark to review the updated list and factor it into their risk assessments when evaluating player behavior and onboarding.
Operators Urged to Follow AML Guidelines Amid Updated FATF Grey and Black Lists
Spillemyndigheden reminded operators that players from greylisted regions may present higher financial crime risks. As such, Danish gambling companies are required to follow the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) guidelines outlined in Annex 3 of the country’s AML Act. This includes performing enhanced due diligence (EDD) when a player is suspected of posing significant money laundering or terrorist financing risks. However, the regulator clarified that being on the grey list alone doesn’t mandate EDD unless the player is from a jurisdiction on the EU’s High-Risk Third Countries list.
Danish Gambling Operators Advised to Strengthen AML Checks Following FATF Grey List UpdateThe FATF grey list has been updated, with Nepal added since the last notice issued in November and the Philippines removed. The current list includes countries such as Algeria, Angola, Bulgaria, DR Congo, and Yemen, among others. Meanwhile, the FATF black list, which includes countries that lack or disregard AML controls—namely North Korea, Iran, and Myanmar—remains unchanged.
Q4 AML Report Highlights Criminal Networks as Denmark’s Gaming Market Expands Further
Spillemyndigheden’s latest notice also coincides with the publication of its Financial Intelligence Unit’s Q4 report. The document, now available on the regulator’s website, outlines the number of AML-related notifications received in the final quarter of 2024. It also sheds light on a criminal network of Russian-speaking individuals operating in Sweden and engaging in financial crimes such as money laundering, further emphasizing the need for vigilance.
Amid these regulatory updates, the Danish gambling market continues to evolve. Game developer Habanero, known for popular titles like Totem Tower and Hyper Hues, recently secured a B2B license in Denmark. This approval allows the company to offer its games to Danish operators, expanding the country’s gaming portfolio and demonstrating continued growth in a well-regulated environment.