Denmark’s gambling regulator, the Spillemyndigheden, recently released detailed data on the performance of the country’s gambling sector in February 2025, alongside a comprehensive overview of the industry’s financial metrics for 2024. The data reveals fascinating trends, showcasing the resilience of iGaming amidst challenges faced by other gambling verticals.
February Sees a 0.6% Increase in Gambling Spend
In February 2025, Danish consumers spent 0.6% more on gambling compared to the same period in 2024. This modest increase was largely attributed to the growth of online casino gaming, which successfully offset declines across other verticals, such as betting, gaming machines, and land-based casino gaming.
The Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) figures for the period highlight these shifts:
- Betting GGR: Dropped to $25.4 million.
- Gaming Machines GGR: Posted $13.5 million.
- Land-Based Casinos GGR: Reported a low of $3.9 million.
- iGaming GGR: Jumped significantly, from $40.3 million in February 2024 to $42.6 million in February 2025.
Overall, Denmark’s total gambling GGR for February 2025 stood at $85.5 million, reinforcing the growing dominance of iGaming in the market.
Spotlight on Responsible Gambling: ROFUS and StopSpillet Initiatives
The Spillemyndigheden also unveiled figures reflecting the impact of its responsible gambling initiatives:
- Self-Exclusion via ROFUS: As of February 2025, 58,280 individuals had registered to exclude themselves from gambling. Notably, 37,772 opted for lifetime exclusion.
- StopSpillet Hotline Insights: While over half of surveyed players reported gambling fewer than 10 hours per week, an alarming 9.1% admitted to gambling over 70 hours weekly. Of these, 53.8% began gambling at age 17 or younger.
- Demographics: Among those registered with ROFUS, 78.1% were male and 21.9% were female.
2024: A Year of Growth for Denmark’s Gaming Industry
The Spillemyndigheden also provided insights into the Danish gambling industry’s financial performance in 2024. Total spending reached $1.6 billion, marking a 5.6% year-on-year increase. The total GGR for 2024 stood at $1.05 billion, driven by iGaming’s robust growth.
Key figures for 2024 include:
- iGaming GGR: $510.7 million (approximately 50% of total GGR).
- Betting GGR: $319.4 million.
- Gaming Machines GGR: $168.3 million.
- Land-Based Casinos GGR: $53.3 million.
While betting and land-based casino revenues showed slight growth, gaming machine revenue remained largely flat, with a marginal decline.
FATF Grey List Updates and Compliance Reminders
In addition to gambling-specific metrics, the Spillemyndigheden addressed recent changes to the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey and black lists. The Philippines was removed from the grey list, while Nepal was added, leaving the black list unchanged. The regulator urged operators to remain vigilant regarding money laundering risks linked to jurisdictions on FATF’s grey list.
Conclusion
Denmark’s gambling sector continues to adapt and evolve, with iGaming serving as a critical growth engine. While challenges persist for traditional gaming formats, the industry’s focus on responsible gambling and compliance ensures a robust and sustainable future. The Spillemyndigheden’s data underscores the importance of regulatory oversight and innovation in maintaining the sector’s overall health.
