Gambling gains ground in Denmark with 5.4% growth in 2024
In Denmark, the gambling market experienced growth in 2024, reaching a Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of DKK 11.0 billion (€1.48 billion), compared to DKK 10.4 billion (€1.40 billion) in 2023 — a 5.4 percent increase.
Steady growth amid broader economic stability
However, the Spillemyndigheden (the Danish Gambling Authority) explains that this increase must be viewed in the context of the overall Danish economy. When compared to the total gross domestic product (GDP), the total GGR remains at 0.37 percent — unchanged from the previous year but slightly below the levels observed in the years following the 2012 market regulation, which peaked in 2018 at 0.44 percent. This indicates that while the gambling industry isn’t outpacing economic growth, it is maintaining its market share.
Lotteries remain a Danish favourite
Lotteries remained the largest gambling category in 2024, a trend consistent with previous years. In Denmark, licensed operators hold a monopoly on this vertical, with the exception of charitable lotteries.
“The monopoly lotteries have shown steady GGR development since the partial liberalisation of the gambling market in 2012,” commented the regulator. Among the different types of lottery games, number games (such as Lotto) are by far the most popular, accounting for 81 percent of the lottery segment, followed by class lotteries (10 percent) and scratch card games, including online versions (9 percent).
National pride drives sports betting boom
Sports betting accounted for 20 percent of the gambling market in 2024.
The regulator noted that betting volume spikes significantly when national sports teams are in action. “The Danes’ stakes on bets were highest on 16 June, when Denmark played its first group match against Slovenia,” , referring to the European Men’s Football Championship. “Deposits on that day were 128 percent higher than on 24 June — the day during the tournament with the lowest betting volume.”
Online gambling dominates — mobile leads the way
In 2024, online casino represented 32 percent of the gaming market. Gaming machines accounted for 11 percent, while land-based casinos made up just 3 percent.
“In 2024, 68 percent of the total GGR came from online gambling — an increase of 37 percentage points compared to 2012,” the regulator stated. “This shows that the development of the Danish gambling market is being driven by growth in online gambling.”
Mobile usage is the main force behind this trend. “Since 2012, the share of GGR from online betting and casino generated via mobile devices has increased from 11 percent to 70 percent,” the report noted.
Online gaming machines are the most popular product offered to Danish players, accounting for 78 percent of the online casino GGR.
Channelisation reaches a new high
“Before the liberalisation of betting and online casino on 1 January 2012, the channelisation rate was just under 40 percent,” the regulator explained. “By the end of 2012, it had increased to nearly 69 percent. In 2024, the channelisation rate reached 91.5 percent — a slight increase from 2023, when it was just under 91 percent.”
