Press release: International recognition to director of The Danish Gambling Authority

On Tuesday, September 12th, Birgitte Sand, Director of the Gambling Authority, received the "Regulator of the Year 2017 - Europe" awarded by the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL). IMGL is a group of lawyers, educators and consultants in the gaming world, as well as representatives of gaming authorities.

Birgitte Sand gets the award for contributing to "the high standard and regulation of the Danish gaming market and its remarkable contributions to international regulatory work" as stated in the IMGL motivation speech.
The award was presented by Michael Zatezalo, president of IMGL, at the organization's conference in Copenhagen, with about 100 participants.

Birgitte Sand has been the director of the Gambling Authority since 2008 and thus stood in the forefront of the partial liberalization of the Danish gaming market, which came into force in 2012.

Recognition to the Danish Gambling Authority

Birgitte Sand emphasizes that the prize is largely the Danish Gambling Authority's profit. "I have had the great privilege of working with competent and committed colleagues in the Gambling Authority since 2008, says Birgitte Sand. "Together we succeeded in implementing a well-functioning gaming legislation in Denmark. Our gaming legislation and our administration of the same are often highlighted internationally and it is therefore a great pleasure for me to receive the IMGL award and thus be recognized by a significant circle within the gaming world that we so actively participate in, says Birgitte Sand.

A market in constant development

The Danish Gambling Authority, which is a government board under the Ministry of Taxation, has about 80 employees, which, among other things, ensure that gaming permits are granted and supervised by the gaming market.

With a growing market that constantly develops new types of games based on a variety of technological solutions, it may be a challenge as an authority to ensure that gaming in Denmark takes place under applicable legislation. "We always focus on achieving the best possible solutions in constructive dialogue with other authorities, gaming providers and their advisors, and I think that we are very skilled, says Birgitte Sand. - As an authority, we constantly keep track of what is happening in the market to maintain and expand the necessary knowledge, and we therefore also go abroad to meet with providers, their advisors and other gaming authorities.

About Birgitte Sand

Graduated lawyer from the University of Copenhagen.
Before the Danish Gambling Authority, she worked at the National Tax Tribunal and had a number of senior positions in SKAT.
Member of the Board since 2011 in the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR), where she was chairman from 2014-15. 

About the “European Regulator of the Year”-award

Birgitte Sand is the second woman who gets the award as European Regulator of the Year, and the only female prize winner this year. IMGL has awarded prizes every year since 2002 to a number of prominent persons in the field of gaming authorities. The prize is awarded to a person whose work on game regulation is particularly remarkable.

More information:
Birgitte Sand, + 45 25 44 05 03
bs@spillemyndigheden.dk