The Danish regulated gaming market is shrinking for the first time in 2020

27 apr, 2021

Gross game revenues in Denmark fell 8.7 % compared to the previous year in 2020, with the closure of retail due to COVID-19, which caused the first annual decline since the regulation of the market in 2012.

Numbers published by The Gaming Authority showed that in 2020 revenues amounted to DKK 6.00 billion, down from DKK 6.57 billion the year before.

Revenue had risen regularly since the regulation in 2012, but the closure of land-based casinos, combined with the cancellation and postponement of many sporting events as a result of COVID-19 meant that the market suffered its first year with a decline.

Revenue at online casino increased

Online casino passed sports betting and became the primary source of gaming income, for the first time since the regulation of the market. Revenues here increased by 4.5 % to DKK 2.45 billion.

The gaming authority said this was due to players switching to iGaming while land -based casinos were closed, but noted that the increase of 4.5 % was lower than the average annual increase of 13 % since the regulation of the market in 2012.

"One could have expected that there would have been a significant increase in online casino games When the physical casinos were closed down and the opportunities to invest in sports were severely limited, ”said the gaming authority director Anders Dorph.

“However, this is far from the case. Although online casinos increased slightly, it is the slightest increase since 2012, so it offset the huge decline we have seen in the other areas. "

Revenue in all other sectors was down as a result of Covid-19 shutdowns and significant disturbance of sports events both in Denmark and abroad.

Revenue for sports betting sank

Revenue for Sports betting decreased 8.9 % compared to the previous year to DKK 2.29 billion, while slot machines decreased 29.3 % to DKK 986.0 million. Revenues at land -based casinos also decreased 31.7 % to DKK 239.0 million.

Figures for lotteries were not available and were therefore not included in the final sum.