Danish gaming venues to close amid new Covid-19 measures

The closure order, which applies to casinos, gaming halls and restaurants, has been issued by the Danish government and will cover the Greater Copenhagen area, Aarhus, Odense and several areas with the Sjælland region.

In total, 38 municipalities in Denmark now face the stricter rules, with all land-based gambling venues in these areas having to close until 3 January next year.

Indoor sporting venues and cultural centres will also have to remain shuttered until at least January.

The announcement came after the government said it would also extend national measures until at least 28 February next year. This will see people urged to limit social contact with others and to work from home possible.

It comes as Spillemyndigheden is accepting applications for new land-based and on-ship casinos in the country.

The window to apply for land-based gaming permits opened in October and is due to run until 29 January, with applications for casinos on board Danish ships in regular service also set to be accepted during this period.

Permission to operate land-based casinos is granted for up to 10 years at a time.

Denmark currently has eight active licences for land-based casinos, including two on board ferries, while a further permit has been issued for a land-based casino in Copenhagen, which had been scheduled to open before the end of the year.