September Declining Gambling Revenues in Denmark

The latest data from Denmark reveals a year-on-year decline in total revenues, in September, the total revenue from gambling dropped by 2.8%, amounting to DKK 533 million (approximately £62 million). This figure represents a decrease from DKK 569 million recorded in the same month last year. The decline when compared to August’s revenue of DKK 552 million, indicating a downward trajectory.

Despite the overall decline, the online gambling sector, particularly online casinos, has shown resilience. In September, online casino gaming generated DKK 288 million, marking a 12.1% increase compared to the previous year. However, this growth was not sufficient to counterbalance the losses experienced in other gambling sectors.

Online gambling remains the dominant revenue source in Denmark, though its growth has not been enough to offset declines in other areas. A deeper analysis of online gambling reveals interesting insights into player preferences and revenue distribution.

The majority of online casino revenue in Denmark is derived from slot machines, which accounted for 77.1% of total online gaming revenue in September. Other games, including blackjack, roulette, poker, and bingo, contributed significantly less:

While online casinos are growing, the overall engagement levels in the gambling market have been affected by various factors, including regulatory changes and shifts in consumer behaviour. The increase in online gaming revenue is indicative of a growing preference for digital platforms among gamblers, particularly younger demographics.

One of the most significant areas of decline within the Danish gambling market has been sports betting. This sector has witnessed a substantial drop, raising concerns about its future viability.

In September, revenue from sports betting plummeted by 21.7%, totalling DKK 144 million.

The breakdown of sports betting revenue provides further insights into consumer preferences:

While online gambling continues to grow, traditional gambling venues are facing significant challenges. The revenue from physical slot machines and land-based casinos has also seen a downturn.

Revenue from physical slot machines decreased by 4.2% year-on-year, totalling DKK 92 million in September.

Land-based casinos have not been immune to the overall decline in gambling revenue. In September, they reported a revenue of DKK 29 million, which is a 9.4% decrease from the previous year.

The Danish Gambling Authority, Spillemyndigheden, has implemented various initiatives aimed at promoting responsible gambling and ensuring consumer protection.

One of the key initiatives is the ROFUS national self-exclusion scheme, which allows individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from gambling activities. By the end of September, 53,043 individuals had registered for this program.