Its purpose is reducing the risk of money laundering and match-fixing, but the government added it would also be helpful in protecting minors and those at risk of harm gambling.
Morten Bødskov, Denmark’s Minister of Taxation, said: “With the playing card, we do away with the opportunity to play anonymously in, among other things, football matches.
"We are thus putting a stick in the wheel of the criminals who use this type of game as a means of, for example, laundering money. With the playing card, players must register, no matter how small amounts they play for, and data about their games are analysed and reported to the authorities if it seems suspicious.”
The mandatory ID card is expected to prevent young people under the age of 18 from placing bets, on top of being used to check whether the player had voluntarily excluded from gambling (or exceeded any self-imposed spend limits). However, lotto coupons and scratch cards are not covered by the requirement for a playing card.
Bødskov concluded: “There is a need to tighten the rules in the gaming area. Many Danes – especially young men – have problems with gambling, and this often has major consequences for themselves, their future and their families.
"That is why we have agreed with a broad majority of the parliamentary parties to launch a playing card. It is a targeted bet, as this is where the problems with gambling addiction are greatest.”
