TLDR:

• Danish gambling revenue reached DKK 571m in August 2024, up 4.3% year-over-year
• Online casino growth of 20.8% drove the overall increase
• Sports betting, land-based casinos, and gaming machines saw declines
• Poker is now a separate category in monthly statistics
• 51,893 people were registered with the ROFUS self-exclusion scheme by August’s end

The Danish gambling market experienced notable growth in August 2024, with total revenue reaching DKK 571 million (approximately $84 million), according to recent data from the Danish Gambling Authority.

This figure represents a 4.3% increase compared to the same month in 2023, highlighting the continuing evolution of gambling preferences in Denmark.

The primary driver behind this growth was the online casino sector, which saw a significant 20.8% year-on-year increase, reaching DKK 299 million in revenue.

This surge in online casino activity underscores a shift in consumer behavior towards digital platforms. The August figures for online casinos came close to the all-time monthly record of DKK 309 million, set in March 2024.

While online casinos flourished, other segments of the Danish gambling market experienced declines. Sports betting saw the most substantial drop, with revenue falling by 14% to DKK 147 million. This decrease may be attributed to various factors, including seasonal variations in sporting events or changing bettor preferences.

The land-based sector continued to face challenges, a trend observed in recent months. Physical slot machine revenue saw a slight decrease of 0.2%, totaling DKK 96 million. Similarly, land-based casinos experienced a more significant decline of 12%, with revenue dropping to DKK 29 million.

In an effort to provide more detailed insights into the market, the Danish Gambling Authority has introduced changes to its reporting structure.

Notably, poker now appears as a separate category under online casino in the monthly statistics. This modification, applied retroactively to data since 2012, aims to offer a clearer view of the online casino market composition without altering the overall gross gaming revenue figures.

The restructuring has led to the removal of the “commission games” category, with non-poker commission games now falling under the “other” category.

As a result, the online casino sector is now subdivided into six distinct game types: gaming machines, roulette, blackjack, poker, bingo, and other.

The Danish Gambling Authority also released information on the ROFUS national self-exclusion scheme. By the end of August 2024, 51,893 individuals had registered with ROFUS, representing a 12.4% increase from the previous year. Of those registered, 77.3% are male and 22.7% are female, with 66.6% opting for permanent exclusion.

The StopSpillet support service, launched in 2019, has received almost 3,200 inquiries since its inception. Interestingly, 37% of these inquiries came from individuals aged 18-25, making this age group the most likely to seek gambling support services.

In July 2024, Danish authorities took steps to address illegal gambling marketing. The Danish Consumer Ombudsman, the Gambling Advertising Board, and the Danish Gambling Authority reached an agreement to streamline efforts and prevent duplication of work when dealing with violations by gambling companies.

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