Danish gambling market reports revenue rise of 6% for July

The gambling market in Denmark saw its total revenue for July rise by 6% year-on-year, as the industry showed signs of normality following the coronavirus pandemic

Figures from the Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden) showed the country’s online gross gaming revenue (GGR) increased to DKK604m ($96.2m) for July, which was a 14% improvement from June.

Sports betting brought in the biggest amount of revenue, generating DKK235m, representing an 8% rise on the same period last year and 23% from June. The semi-finals and final of the delayed 2020 UEFA European Championships took place in early July, with Denmark appearing in its first semi-final since winning the competition in 1992, helping the vertical to post a significant month-on-month rise. Year-to-date for the first seven months of 2021 has seen sports betting bring in DKK1.48bn, which is a 21% rise from 2020.

Online casino GGR came in at DKK229m for July, a 14% rise from 2020 and 8% higher than June, while slot machines dropped 9% on July 2020 to DKK109m, but 8% higher than June.

In terms of land-based casinos, revenue was DKK31 for July, which is 5% higher than a year ago and 16% better than June. However, casinos were only allowed to reopen in late May after being closed since December due to a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. As a result, year-to-date GGR for the sector is down 40% on last year, to DKK68m.

The revenue rise for Q2 represents a boost for the Danish market, with GGR falling 9% in 2020 compared to 2019 down to DKK5.96bn, as the pandemic caused havoc to the land-based and sports betting sectors.

Earlier in September, the DGA reinforced its responsible gambling drive with a new campaign on social media and digital platforms promoting its self-exclusion system ROFUS.

While last June, concerns were raised by the industry, including the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), after the government announced plans to raise gaming tax from 20% to 28%, coming into force in 2021. The Danish online market has been legalised since January 2012.

Image source: UnSplash.com