Danish Gambling Authority’s Report Highlights Decline
Spillemyndigheden, the Danish Gambling Authority, has recently published its monthly data report, unveiling significant shifts in the gambling landscape of Denmark. The report highlights a marked decline in in-person betting at retail bookmakers following the implementation of mandatory customer ID cards, alongside notable trends in the online casino sector.
Decline in Land-Based Betting: Impact of Mandatory ID Cards
The report from Spillemyndigheden shows a substantial decrease in land-based betting activities. From an average of 27.27% throughout the year, in-person betting activity plummeted to just 15.5% in November. This decline followed the enforcement of mandatory ID cards in retail sports betting shops, a policy introduced in November 2021 but implemented only from October 1st, 2023.
Significant Drop in Sports Betting Gross Gaming Revenue
The sports betting sector experienced a drastic drop in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), declining from DKK 184 million in September to DKK 52 million in October, a 76.29% year-on-year decrease. Although retail sports betting operators maintained a market share of about 27%, November’s GGR rebounded to DKK 232 million but was still down by 9.65% compared to November 2022.
The report indicates uncertainty over whether the drop in revenue and in-person betting activity is directly attributable to the new identification policy, highlighting the complexity of factors influencing gambling behaviors.
Online and Retail Operators
For the first 11 months of 2023, the combined GGR of online and retail sports betting operators reached DKK 1.9 billion, marking a 10.54% decrease from the same period in 2022.
The online casino sector reported a GGR of DKK 251 million in November, a slight decline from October but an 8.06% increase year-on-year. Online slots dominated, contributing to 77.2% of all online GGR, with roulette and blackjack each accounting for around 6%. The year-to-date GGR for online casino games stood at DKK 2.7 billion, up by 5.34% from the previous year.
Growth in Land-Based Casino GGR
Contrasting with the decline in retail sports betting, land-based casinos reported a GGR of DKK 31 million, an 18.33% increase from November 2022. This performance puts the industry on track to surpass 2022’s total GGR of DKK 349 million.
Our Comment on the Article
The latest report from the Danish Gambling Authority sheds light on the evolving gambling landscape in Denmark, especially in the context of regulatory changes. The significant decline in retail sports betting following the introduction of mandatory ID cards suggests a notable shift in consumer behavior towards online platforms.
While the exact impact of the ID policy remains uncertain, the trends clearly indicate a growing preference for online gambling avenues, as evidenced by the steady growth in the online casino sector. This dynamic reflects a broader global trend towards digital gambling solutions and underscores the need for adaptable and responsive regulatory frameworks in the gambling industry.
