Denmark Weighs New Rules for Radio and Walkie-Talkie Banko

Denmark Weighs New Rules for Radio and Walkie-Talkie Banko

Denmark is to revisit its approach to bingo-style activities, this time focusing on banko games, traditionally broadcast on local radio or conducted over walkie-talkies. The initiative, now under consideration in parliament, suggests that the country’s broader gambling reforms may extend further than the changes already introduced for land-based bingo earlier this year. While the proposal remains at an early stage, its direction marks a noticeable shift toward formal recognition of a long-standing community pastime that has historically operated without a clear regulatory category.

Land-based bingo only transitioned into a regulated environment on January 1, following a government decision to liberalise the sector for more minor associations and charity organisers. With those rules now in motion, lawmakers appear ready to address banko as a distinct activity. If approved, the new framework would enter into force on January 1, 2026, giving the state’s gambling regulator, Spillemyndigheden, the mandate to oversee a format that has long existed in Denmark’s local social fabric but has never been treated separately from other casual community games.

Green minister Jeppe Bruus has positioned the proposed rules as a way to give banko a legitimate place within the gambling framework without imposing the financial barriers associated with commercial licences. His comments suggest that lawmakers are attempting to balance two objectives: ensuring that banko games operate transparently and consistently with broader gambling standards, while preserving the ability of small non-commercial groups to continue organising events that often support local fundraising.

A central feature of the bill is the introduction of a revenue-capped licence for radio and walkie-talkie banko. The licence would carry an annual fee of DKK 1,000, a deliberate attempt to make the process accessible to associations with limited resources. At the same time, a turnover ceiling of DKK 1m would ensure that the licence remains restricted to community-level organisations rather than professional gambling operators. This mechanism reflects an effort to protect the purpose of banko as a locally rooted activity while providing it with a structured framework comparable to other regulated formats.

Taxation would mirror existing bingo rules. The bill proposes a 28 per cent tax on profits after prize payouts, while banko organisers would be required to return at least 80 per cent of stakes to participants. By setting a fixed return-to-player requirement, lawmakers aim for predictability and fairness without imposing complex financial obligations on smaller associations. For Spillemyndigheden, these parameters would create a uniform standard for oversight once banko shifts into the regulated space.

If the proposal moves forward, applications for licences would open on January 1, 2026. Applicants would submit their materials through Spillemyndigheden’s portal using form 1-02, designed specifically for walkie-talkie and radio banko operations. Licence holders would also be required to file a compliance report after their first year, documenting their adherence to consumer protection measures and operational obligations. The establishment of a designated contact person for each licensee demonstrates the regulator’s intent to maintain a collaborative relationship with organisers, rather than relying solely on enforcement measures.

The idea of giving banko its own legal identity within Danish gambling law is not new. Former tax minister Rasmus Stoklund previously highlighted the importance of the activity for rural communities, where banko often supports local clubs and volunteer initiatives. Stoklund argued that charging commercial-level fees would undermine the social role banko has historically played, and instead emphasised the need for limits that would protect its non-commercial character. His proposals formed part of a wider package of reforms now unfolding across multiple areas of the gambling sector.

These wider reforms include a planned overhaul of gambling advertising rules. By 2027, Denmark intends to introduce a whistle-to-whistle restriction prohibiting gambling ads during live sports broadcasts from 10 minutes before an event begins to 10 minutes after it ends. Policymakers have expressed concern about the prominence of such advertising, particularly during family-viewing hours. Under the same legislative package, live odds will no longer appear on stadium banners, and operators will face limits on the use of public figures or online personalities in promotional campaigns.

Restrictions will also extend to public spaces, with proposed bans on gambling advertising on public transport and around schools. Additional rules would prevent anyone under 25 from being used in gambling promotions, reinforcing the government’s aim to reduce exposure among younger audiences. Educational institutions would be obligated to block access to gambling websites. At the same time, a committee will be tasked with determining how influencers on streaming platforms such as Twitch should be regulated regarding gambling content.