The Danish Gambling Authority has issued a notification in response to the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) latest update to its list of high-risk jurisdictions. This announcement underscores the importance of incorporating FATF’s classifications into gambling operators’ risk evaluation procedures.
FATF maintains two separate lists: the Grey List, which includes countries currently under increased scrutiny for shortcomings in preventing money laundering and terrorist financing, and the Black List, which identifies jurisdictions requiring stringent countermeasures.
In the latest revision, the Grey List has expanded to include countries such as Algeria, Angola, Bulgaria, Cameroon, DR Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Venezuela, and others—bringing attention to ongoing compliance weaknesses. Conversely, the Black List remains unchanged, consisting of North Korea, Iran, and Myanmar.
One notable change is the removal of the Philippines from the Grey List, reflecting its progress in aligning with FATF’s anti-money laundering (AML) standards. This follows a previous update in November 2024, when Lebanon was newly added to the list.
Under Danish AML legislation, gambling companies must conduct Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) on users presenting a high financial crime risk. While FATF’s lists are a useful benchmark, operators are specifically obligated to apply EDD when dealing with entities from countries listed in the EU’s High-Risk Third Country register, per Section 17(2) of the AML Act.
These updates act as a crucial resource to support responsible gaming operations and maintain regulatory integrity.