Danish gambling market sees first year of decline since regulation

Figures from the gambling regulator show that in 2020 the gaming market shrank for the first time since regulation in 2012, falling 8.7 per cent year-on-year.

Denmark.- The national gambling regulator Spillemyndigheden has revealed figures showing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Denmark’s gaming market. Revenue in 2020 amounted to DKK6.00bn ($966m), down 8.7 per cent from DKK6.57bn ($1bn) in 2019.

Revenue had climbed steadily since regulation in 2012. However, the closure of land-based casinos and gambling venues and the cancellation of sports events due to the Covid-19 pandemic led the industry to its first year of decline.

Online casino became the biggest source of gambling income for the first time since regulation, overtaking sports betting as its revenue rose 4.5 per cent to DKK2.45bn ($394m). However, the increase was lower than the average annual increase of 13 per cent since regulation in 2012.

Spillemyndigheden director Anders Dorph said: “One might have expected that there would have been a marked increase in online casino games when the physical gaming halls and casinos were closed down and the opportunities to bet on sports were severely limited.

“However, that is far from the case. Although online casino increased a bit, it is the smallest increase since 2012, and it therefore far outweighs the massive decline we have seen in the other areas.”