Spillemyndigheden: Anti-Money Laundering: Screening of Sanctions Lists

Gambling operators must comply with the EU’s sanctions regarding freezing of assets. Freezing of assets means that it is prohibited to make funds and assets directly or indirectly available to individuals who are subject to the EU’s sanctions.

Freezing of assets must take effect immediately when an individual, business or organisation is added to a list of sanctions. Consequently, a gambling operator must screen their costumers in accordance with the existing and updated lists.

The EU keeps several sanctions lists that are updated regularly. Therefore, the EU has created a database, EU Sanctions Map, which includes all current sanctions lists concerning anti-money laundering. The map can also be used to search across the lists. Individuals, businesses and organisations that are subject to a requirement for freezing of assets is marked with a frost symbol.

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In addition to the individuals listed in the EU regulations, gambling operators are also obligated to ensure that the operator’s customers do not appear from the UN’s consolidated asset freeze list. The list is available on the Danish Business Authority’s website: UN’s freezing of assets list.

Gambling operators are responsible for ensuring that funds are not made available to a sanctioned individual – for example by paying out winnings. Please note that breaches of sanctions adopted by the EU or UN may be punishable by fine or imprisonment.

See more information on sanctions and asset freeze on the Danish Business Authority’s website, where a guide on freezing of assets is also available.