Casino Copenhagen and Denmark’s 2026 Casino Licensing Round: What Could Change for Land-Based Gambling
Casino Copenhagen has been part of Denmark’s regulated gambling scene for more than three decades. In 2026, its position gained fresh relevance as the Danish Gambling Authority reopened applications for land-based casino licences, creating the possibility of new competition without changing Casino Copenhagen’s current licence.
Casino Copenhagen as a major physical casino
Casino Copenhagen opened on 31 December 1990 and is described by its operator as Denmark’s first international casino. Located at Amager Boulevard 70 in Copenhagen S, it covers about 3,000 square metres across three floors. The venue brings table games, poker and gaming machines together in one physical setting.
Its current selection includes blackjack, American roulette, Punto Banco, Ultimate Texas Hold’em and poker, alongside more than 140 gaming machines. Many of these categories are also familiar to online players. Readers comparing a traditional casino with digital play can use noway limit casino to see how slots, blackjack, poker, roulette, live casino games and mobile play are presented online. The game types may overlap, but access and social interaction are very different.
Poker includes Texas Hold’em and Omaha, with cash games and scheduled tournaments. Live tables add direct contact with dealers and other guests, while the venue also runs events and offers bars and ticket packages. Visitors must be at least 18 and present valid photo identification.
Why the Copenhagen venue still stands out
Casino Copenhagen is one of seven licensed land-based casinos operating in Denmark. Copenhagen itself has two licensed venues, with Casino Vesterport also serving the capital. The city therefore already has direct casino competition.
Casino Copenhagen’s main strengths are scale, history and variety. Live games, poker, gaming machines and events give visitors several reasons to attend beyond a single game, while long opening hours make it an established part of Copenhagen’s evening entertainment.
This matters because physical casinos now represent a much smaller share of Danish gambling than online services. For a venue in the capital, atmosphere, service and social play can be just as important as the games themselves.
What Denmark’s 2026 licensing round could change
On 3 August 2026, the Danish Gambling Authority opened applications for licences to establish and operate land-based casinos. Applications must arrive by 3 November 2026, and licences can run for up to ten years. The process does not cancel existing licences or suggest that Casino Copenhagen is closing.
The Authority considers professional experience, financial strength, management, location, customer base and the proposed casino project. Municipalities, police and relevant national authorities are also consulted, so the decision depends on both the operator and the practical plan.
For Casino Copenhagen, the effect will depend on who applies and where a new venue might open. Another casino in or near the capital could compete directly for visitors and events, while a licence elsewhere in Denmark may have a more limited local impact.
How Denmark’s land-based market may develop
The wider figures show the challenge for physical casinos. In 2025, online casino generated DKK 4.309 billion in gross gaming revenue and became Denmark’s largest gambling category. Overall, 73% of gambling revenue came from online play.
Recent monthly figures also show that the physical casino segment can fluctuate. Land-based casino spending fell by 0.7% year on year in June 2026 and by 4.0% in July. More licences would therefore bring new competition to a sector that is not growing consistently every month.
The next key date is 3 November 2026. Until applications are assessed and successful operators are announced, claims about new openings or closures would be premature. What is confirmed is that Denmark has reopened access to land-based casino licences, creating a real possibility of stronger competition.
