Denmark’s Gambling Revenue Surges by 37% in June 2024

Denmark’s gambling market experienced a remarkable surge in June 2024, with total revenue increasing by 37% year-on-year to DKK703 million (€94.2 million/$103 million). This growth was primarily driven by a significant rise in sports betting, which saw a notable increase during the Euro 2024 football tournament. The latest figures from the Danish Gambling Authority, Spillemyndigheden, highlight the robust performance of the gambling sector, with substantial contributions from online casinos and retail gambling as well.

Sports Betting Drives Revenue Growth

Sports betting emerged as the standout performer in Denmark’s gambling sector for June 2024. Revenue from sports betting soared by 75.7% year-on-year to DKK271 million. A significant portion of this revenue, 64.1%, came from mobile betting, reflecting the growing trend of wagering via smartphones and other mobile devices. The Euro 2024 tournament, which began on June 14 and continued into mid-July, was a major driver of this increase.

Despite Denmark’s national team being eliminated in the round of 16 after a 2-0 loss to hosts Germany, the tournament generated significant betting activity. The excitement and engagement surrounding the event contributed to the substantial rise in sports betting revenue. This trend underscores the increasing popularity of sports betting in Denmark and its potential for future growth.

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The impressive performance of sports betting highlights the importance of major sporting events in driving gambling revenue. As more people engage in betting during such events, the gambling sector can expect continued growth and expansion.

Online Casinos Maintain Strong Performance

While sports betting was the highlight of June, online casinos remained the largest contributor to Denmark’s overall gambling revenue. Online casino revenue reached DKK303 million, marking a 27.2% increase from the previous year. This figure was just shy of the record DKK310 million reported in March 2024. Slots continued to dominate the online casino segment, accounting for 76.4% of the total online casino revenue in June.

Roulette and blackjack also made notable contributions, with roulette generating 6.7% and blackjack 6.6% of the gross gaming revenue (GGR) for the online casino vertical. Bingo, though a smaller segment, contributed 3.9% of the GGR. The strong performance of online casinos reflects the growing preference for digital gambling platforms among Danish players.

The consistent growth in online casino revenue highlights the sector’s resilience and adaptability. As technology continues to evolve, online casinos are likely to introduce new features and innovations to attract and retain players, further boosting revenue.

Retail Gambling Sees Modest Gains

Denmark’s retail gambling sector also experienced growth in June 2024. Revenue from physical slot machines rose by 6.6% to DKK97 million. Of this total, 79.2% came from gambling halls, with the remaining 20.8% generated by slot machines in restaurants. Land-based casinos, another key component of Denmark’s gambling market, reported DKK32 million in revenue for June, representing a 7.1% year-on-year increase.

The growth in retail gambling revenue, though modest compared to online and sports betting, indicates a steady demand for traditional gambling options. The presence of physical gambling venues provides an alternative for players who prefer in-person experiences over digital platforms.

In addition to revenue figures, Spillemyndigheden released data on self-exclusion through the Rofus platform. As of June 2024, a total of 50,403 individuals in Denmark have self-excluded from gambling. This includes 33,511 people who have opted for lifetime exclusion and 16,892 who have chosen temporary exclusion. The country’s gambling support helpline, StopSpillet, also recorded 32 calls in June, primarily from men aged between 26 and 35.