The Danish Gambling Authority expects to start accepting licence applications for walkie-talkie and radio bingo on January 1, 2026. Parliament is currently reviewing the bill that’ll make this happen.
Bingo operators who secure these licences can offer games through walkie-talkies and local radio stations. The Gambling Act and Executive Order on Online Casino will govern these products. All applications go through Spillemyndigheden’s official channels.
Prospective operators haven’t seen the full requirements yet. Those details aren’t public. But there’s a catch for anyone who gets approved.
Why Denmark Added This Bingo Format Now
The timing fits with Denmark’s broader push to update gambling rules. The country spent 2025 tightening oversight across multiple areas.
Radio and walkie-talkie bingo fills a gap in Denmark’s regulated market. These distribution methods existed outside formal regulation until now. Bringing them under DGA oversight means better consumer protection for players using these formats.
The new licences also give operators another way to reach Danish players legally.
What Operators Must Do to Qualify
Licensed operators face a reporting requirement within their first year. They’ve got 14 months from activation to file their operational report with the regulator.
The application process runs entirely through DGA systems. Requirements will be published before the January opening date.
Denmark updated its nationwide marketing guidelines back in July. Those new rules apply to all Danish licence holders, including future walkie-talkie and radio bingo operators.
And there’s more. Early in the fourth quarter, Denmark’s government reached a cross-party deal on responsible gambling policy. That package focuses heavily on protecting young people from gambling harms. It bans gambling ads during sports events too.
How This Fits Denmark’s Regulatory Direction
Denmark’s approach caught attention from Sweden recently. The Swedish gambling trade association BOS hired law firm Nordic Legal to study potential improvements for Swedish regulations.
That October report pointed to Denmark’s system as more favourable. Nordic Legal recommended 19 specific changes to Spelinspektionen, Sweden’s gambling regulator.
Denmark’s September betting figures showed year-on-year declines in gambling spend. The DGA confirmed those numbers. Despite the drop, regulators continue expanding licence categories while strengthening player protections.
The walkie-talkie and radio bingo licences represent another step in Denmark’s systematic approach to gambling regulation. Operators get clear paths to legal market entry. Players get products under regulatory oversight. The model seems to be working well enough that neighbouring countries are taking notes.
