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Danish regulator draws attention to refreshed FATF Grey and Black Lists, impacting gambling operators' risk assessment and enhanced due diligence requirements.
Mar 13, 2026 · 4 min read
The Danish Gambling Authority has issued guidance on updated high-risk jurisdiction classifications from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), reinforcing compliance obligations for gambling operators conducting customer risk assessments.
FATF has refreshed both its Grey List for jurisdictions under increased monitoring and Black List for territories requiring enhanced action. The Grey List now includes 20 jurisdictions: Algeria, Angola, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Cameroon, the Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Haiti, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Monaco, Namibia, Nepal, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, Vietnam, the Virgin Islands and Yemen.
The Black List maintains three high-risk territories: Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iran and Myanmar.
FATF List Classifications
The Financial Action Task Force maintains two key lists for AML compliance: the Grey List with 20 jurisdictions under increased monitoring, and the Black List with 3 high-risk territories requiring enhanced action. These classifications serve as risk indicators for gambling operators but do not automatically trigger enhanced due diligence requirements.
Under section 17(1) of the Danish AML Act, gambling operators must conduct enhanced customer due diligence (EDD) when players present elevated money laundering or terrorist financing risks. This assessment draws from Annex 3 of the Act, which incorporates FATF's high-risk country classifications.
However, the Danish authority clarifies that FATF list placement alone does not automatically trigger EDD requirements. Operators must perform comprehensive risk evaluations considering multiple factors outlined in the legislation, similar to approaches adopted by other EU regulators addressing AML compliance.
The regulatory framework establishes clear distinctions for when enhanced due diligence becomes mandatory. While FATF listings inform risk assessments, EDD obligations under section 17(2) of the Danish AML Act specifically apply to players from jurisdictions on the EU Regulation of High Risk Third Country list.
This dual-layer approach allows operators to incorporate FATF intelligence while maintaining compliance with EU-harmonized high-risk determinations that carry binding EDD requirements.
The guidance reinforces Denmark's risk-based approach to AML compliance in gambling. Operators must maintain current awareness of evolving international risk assessments while applying proportionate due diligence measures based on comprehensive player risk profiles.
The distinction between FATF listings as risk indicators versus EU designations as EDD triggers provides operational clarity for compliance teams managing customer onboarding and monitoring procedures. This framework balances international intelligence sharing with standardized European enforcement mechanisms.
Compliance Best Practice
While FATF listings provide valuable risk intelligence, operators should focus their mandatory enhanced due diligence procedures on players from jurisdictions listed in EU Regulation of High Risk Third Countries. This dual-layer approach ensures compliance with binding requirements while incorporating international risk assessments into broader customer risk profiling.
No, FATF list placement alone does not automatically trigger EDD requirements. Operators must perform comprehensive risk evaluations considering multiple factors outlined in the Danish AML Act, with mandatory EDD specifically applying to EU-designated high-risk third countries.
The updated Grey List includes 20 jurisdictions under increased monitoring, including Algeria, Angola, Bolivia, Bulgaria, and others. The Black List maintains three high-risk territories: North Korea, Iran, and Myanmar.
Enhanced due diligence requirements are governed by section 17 of the Danish AML Act, with mandatory EDD under section 17(2) specifically applying to players from EU-designated high-risk third countries. Section 17(1) requires risk-based assessments incorporating FATF classifications.
According to Danish Gambling Authority.
Legal Disclaimer
This content reflects a general overview of regulatory frameworks based on publicly available information. It does not constitute legal advice or a legal opinion. iGamingWriter.blog disclaims any liability arising from reliance on this material.
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