Danish Gambling Authority Study Sheds Light on Online Gambling Trends in Denmark
The Danish Gambling Authority, in collaboration with Statistics Denmark, has published a revealing study titled “Online gambling in Denmark”, focusing on the patterns of Danes gambling on websites, both licensed and unlicensed, within the country.
Key Findings on Online Gambling Participation
According to the study, 21.7% of Danes aged 15 and over have engaged in online gambling in the past year, which is approximately 1.1 million individuals. Notably, despite the legal age limit for online gambling being 18, about 15% of 15-17-year-olds, roughly 32,000 young people, gambled online in the past year.
Most of the gambling activities are conducted on websites licensed to operate in Denmark, under the supervision of the Danish Gambling Authority. These sites comply with Danish legislation, focusing on player protection. Only 3.8% of players gambled on unlicensed sites, with online casino, betting, and skin betting being the most popular types on these platforms.
Over half of the players who gambled on unlicensed sites did so deliberately, citing the availability of different types of games, higher refunds, and better bonuses as their main reasons.
Reasons for Choosing Licensed Sites
Conversely, half of the Danish online gamblers chose licensed sites, attributing their choice to factors such as control and supervision, credibility, seriousness, and the use of the Danish language.
The study was conducted through a questionnaire survey, with data collected by Statistics Denmark and the Danish Gambling Authority. It involved a sample of 30,070 Danes aged 15 and over, with 7,637 responses collected online from November 24, 2022, to January 15, 2023. The results are weighted to ensure representativeness of the Danish population.
The study by the Danish Gambling Authority offers valuable insights into the online gambling behavior of Danes, highlighting a significant participation rate, especially among young people, and a general preference for licensed gambling sites. The findings underscore the importance of effective regulation and player protection in the online gambling industry.
Our Comment on the Article
This study by the Danish Gambling Authority is a significant contribution to understanding the trends and preferences in online gambling in Denmark. It brings to light the challenges of underage gambling and the reasons behind players’ choices between licensed and unlicensed sites. Such insights are crucial for policymakers and the gambling industry in developing strategies to promote responsible gambling and enhance player protection, especially among younger demographics.
