Denmark Reports Online Gambling Growth in 2025

Copenhagen, March 24, 2025 – Denmark’s gambling regulator, Spillemyndigheden, has released its latest market report showing modest yet significant year-on-year growth in the nation’s gambling market for February 2025.

The growth was primarily driven by a substantial surge in online casino activities, confirming the ongoing digital transformation of Denmark’s gambling market. While traditional sectors including sports betting and land-based gaming operations showed concerning declines, the digital segment continues to strengthen its dominance, reflecting broader global trends in consumer gambling preferences and digital adoption rates.

Key Takeaways

• Denmark’s total gambling revenue reached DKK 590 million ($85.7 million) in February 2025, showing 0.6% year-on-year growth
• Online casino revenue surged 5.8% to DKK 294 million ($42.7 million), now representing nearly half of all gambling revenue
• Traditional sectors declined – sports betting down 1.7%, gaming machines fell 7%, and land-based casinos dropped 15.6%
• Self-exclusion registry ROFUS grew 21% year-over-year, with most users (64.8%) choosing permanent exclusion
• Denmark’s 2024 annual gambling revenue hit a record DKK 7.27 billion ($1.02 billion), up 6.9% from 2023

Overall Market Performance: Digital Growth Offsets Traditional Decline

Spillemyndigheden’s comprehensive February 2025 report highlighted several notable trends in Denmark’s evolving gambling market. The total gross gambling revenue (GGR) reached DKK 590 million ($85.7 million), representing a modest 0.6% increase compared to February 2024. This growth, while seemingly minimal, is particularly significant considering the widespread economic challenges facing European markets in early 2025.

The online casino sector emerged as the primary growth driver, with revenue climbing to DKK 294 million ($42.7 million) – a substantial 5.8% increase year-over-year. This continues the sector’s impressive expansion trajectory observed throughout 2024 and into 2025.

In stark contrast, several traditional gambling verticals experienced noticeable declines:

• Sports Betting: Revenue dropped 1.7% to DKK 175 million ($25.4 million), continuing a concerning trend that began in late 2024. Industry analysts attribute this decline partially to increased competition from unregulated offshore operators and the growing popularity of esports betting, which is categorized separately in Danish regulations.
• Gaming Machines: Land-based slot operations suffered a more substantial 7% decline, falling to DKK 93 million ($13.5 million). This drop reflects both reduced foot traffic at retail locations and changing consumer preferences, particularly among younger demographics who overwhelmingly favor mobile gaming options.
• Land-Based Casinos: Perhaps most concerning was the 15.6% revenue decline for Denmark’s brick-and-mortar casinos, which generated just DKK 27 million ($3.9 million) in February. This represents the steepest year-over-year drop since the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were lifted, suggesting structural challenges beyond seasonal fluctuations.

Online Casino Breakdown: Slots Dominate Digital Landscape

Online gambling now accounts for 49.8% of Denmark’s total gambling revenue, marking a historic milestone as the segment approaches majority market share. Within the online casino vertical, traditional game categories showed varying levels of popularity:

1. Slots: Dominated the online landscape with 81.9% of all online GGR, generating DKK 241 million in February alone. The immense popularity of slot games represents both opportunity and concern for regulators focused on responsible gambling measures.
2. Blackjack: Contributed 6.6% of online revenue (DKK 19.4 million), maintaining its position as the second-most popular online casino game among Danish players.
3. Roulette: Generated 5.5% of online GGR (DKK 16.2 million), showing slight growth compared to previous months.
4. Poker: Accounted for 2.7% of online revenue (DKK 7.9 million), a category that has remained relatively stable despite global poker tournaments driving periodic spikes in engagement.
5. Bingo: Represented 2.6% of online casino revenue (DKK 7.6 million), a modest but growing segment that appeals particularly to older demographics.

The report also highlighted notable shifts in consumer behavior patterns:

• Most Active Day: Friday has overtaken Thursday as the busiest gambling day, suggesting evolving leisure patterns as remote work becomes more established in Danish society.
• Peak Hours: The 3 PM to 5 PM timeframe saw the highest activity levels, contrasting with previous years when evening hours dominated.
• Mobile Betting: While still dominant at 68.8% of all sports wagers, mobile betting showed a slight decline from 69.7% in 2024. This unexpected decrease may reflect renewed interest in desktop betting platforms offering enhanced live streaming and statistical analysis tools.

Self-Exclusion Registry Shows Dramatic Growth

Denmark’s self-exclusion program ROFUS (Register Over Frivilligt Udelukkede Spillere) continued its significant expansion, with total registrants increasing 21% year-over-year to 58,280 individuals. This growth rate, which exceeds the increase in overall gambling participation, suggests enhanced effectiveness of Denmark’s responsible gambling initiatives.

Key statistics from the ROFUS registry include:

• Permanent Exclusions: 64.8% of registrants (37,772 individuals) opted for permanent rather than temporary exclusion, indicating serious concerns about their gambling habits.
• Gender Distribution: Males continue to represent the majority of self-excluded players at 78.1%, with females accounting for 21.9% of registrations.
• Age Demographics: The 25-34 age bracket showed the most significant increase in self-exclusions, growing 27% compared to February 2024.

Spillemyndigheden officials attribute the rise in self-exclusions to several factors, including enhanced public awareness campaigns, improved integration of ROFUS with licensed gambling platforms, and increased regulatory enforcement of responsible gambling requirements for operators.

The regulator has also implemented a series of educational initiatives in partnership with treatment providers, targeting at-risk demographics before problem gambling behaviors develop. These programs include university awareness campaigns and workplace educational seminars, which have reached over 12,000 Danes in the past twelve months.

2024 Annual Performance Sets New Records

The February report also included final figures for the 2024 calendar year, confirming record-setting performance for Denmark’s regulated gambling market. Total GGR reached an unprecedented DKK 7.27 billion ($1.02 billion), representing robust 6.9% growth compared to 2023.

Detailed analysis of the 2024 annual figures reveals:

• Online Casino: Generated DKK 3.53 billion (48.6% of total GGR), showing remarkable 14.7% year-over-year growth. This segment has consistently outperformed all other verticals since 2019.
• Sports Betting: Produced DKK 2.21 billion in revenue, a modest 1.2% increase that masks significant monthly volatility throughout the year, particularly during major sporting events.
• Land-Based Casinos: Despite recent monthly declines, the sector generated DKK 368 million in 2024, representing a slight 1.7% annual increase, though this remains below pre-pandemic levels when adjusted for inflation.
• Gaming Machines: The only major vertical to show an annual decline, dropping 2.3% to DKK 1.16 billion as Denmark’s slot halls continue to face headwinds from digital competition.

Regulatory Enforcement Intensifies

Spillemyndigheden significantly expanded its enforcement activities throughout 2024, with particular focus on combating unlicensed offshore operators targeting Danish consumers. The regulatory body’s comprehensive enforcement report highlighted several key initiatives:

• Website Blocking: 79 illegal gambling sites were blocked in 2024, representing a 23% increase in enforcement actions compared to 2023.
• Platform Partnerships: The regulator established formal cooperation protocols with major technology platforms including Twitch, Apple, Google, and Meta to rapidly identify and remove unlicensed gambling content and advertisements targeting Danish users.
• Emerging Threats: A specialized task force was established to address new challenges, including the rise of “Robux betting” – gambling using Roblox in-game currency – which primarily targets minors. This initiative resulted in the removal of 37 social media accounts promoting such activities.
• Financial Disruption: Coordination with Danish banking institutions blocked approximately 3,400 transactions to unlicensed gambling operators, representing over DKK 8.2 million in attempted deposits.

Regulatory Developments Shape Market Conditions

Several significant regulatory changes implemented in early 2025 are beginning to influence market dynamics:

1. FATF Grey List Updates: The Financial Action Task Force’s revised monitoring list saw the Philippines removed and Nepal added to jurisdictions under increased anti-money laundering scrutiny. Spillemyndigheden has issued updated guidelines requiring operators to enhance due diligence measures for transactions involving newly listed high-risk markets.
2. Licensing Reforms: January 2025 marked the introduction of mandatory supplier licenses for software providers and game developers serving the Danish market. This new requirement aims to close regulatory gaps and ensure all aspects of the gambling ecosystem maintain appropriate standards.
3. Certification Programs: Updated certification requirements for betting and online casino operations have been implemented, with particular emphasis on enhanced player protection tools and algorithmic identification of problematic gambling patterns.
4. Taxation Stability: Despite ongoing discussions about potential tax increases, Denmark has maintained its 20% tax rate for online operators. This decision aligns with recommendations from a 2020 H2 Gambling Capital report that warned increasing the rate to 28% could drive players to unregulated offshore alternatives.

Spillemyndigheden Director Birgitte Sand commented in the report: “Our regulatory approach continues to balance market growth with consumer protection. The sustained expansion of our regulated market, particularly in the digital sector, validates Denmark’s model of controlled liberalization with robust oversight.”

Market Outlook and Future Considerations

Denmark’s online gambling sector shows strong indications of continued growth throughout 2025 and beyond. Several key trends and challenges identified in the report will likely shape the market’s evolution:

• Mobile-First Innovation: Operators are increasingly investing in mobile-exclusive features and games designed specifically for smartphone interfaces rather than adapting desktop experiences. This approach has shown particular success in attracting younger adults aged 21-30, Denmark’s fastest-growing player demographic.
• Live Dealer Expansion: The live dealer segment grew 31% in 2024, outpacing all other online casino verticals. Industry forecasts suggest this category could represent up to 15% of online casino revenue by 2026.
• Land-Based Transformation: Traditional casinos and gaming halls face mounting pressure to reinvent their business models. Several major operators have announced plans to reduce floor space while investing in premium experiences, effectively transitioning from volume-based to value-based operational strategies.
• Regulatory Evolution: Spillemyndigheden has signaled intentions to implement enhanced advertising restrictions in late 2025, potentially limiting broadcast gambling advertisements during prime time hours and expanding limitations on celebrity endorsements.
• Competitive Landscape: While the market remains relatively concentrated among established operators, several international brands received Danish licenses in late 2024, potentially intensifying competition throughout 2025.

Spillemyndigheden’s proactive stance on illegal gambling and player protection continues to position Denmark as a model for balanced regulation in Europe’s rapidly evolving iGaming landscape. The regulatory body’s data-driven approach and willingness to adapt to emerging challenges suggests Denmark will maintain its reputation as a sophisticated, well-regulated market that balances commercial interests with effective consumer protections.

Sources

1. Player Protection Hub: ROFUS Data
2. SBC Eurasia: FATF Updates
3. Gambling News: Denmark’s February Spending
4. Spillemyndigheden Official Website
5. iGaming Business: Denmark Annual Report
6. EGBA: Tax Analysis Denmark