Online casinos surpass lotteries as largest Danish gambling segment in 2025

Online casinos have overtaken lotteries as the largest segment of the Danish gambling sector in 2025, according to the latest annual market review published by the Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden).

The report Spilmarkedet i tal 2025 , published on Monday, highlighted this shift for the first time since the partial liberalisation of Denmark’s gambling market in 2012.

In terms of methodology, Spillemyndigheden adjusted gross gambling revenue figures to 2026 price levels and aligned them with Denmark’s GDP measures. This has led to discrepancies when comparing 2025 data with previous reports.

The authority deferred the publication of the updated channelisation report until later in 2026, pending further data verification.

As a result, estimates of unlicensed online market activity were excluded from the report.

Gambling revenue and segment performance

The total gross gambling revenue for the Danish market in 2025 amounted to DKK11.5 billion ($1.75 billion), marking a slight decline of 1% (DKK116 million) compared with 2024. When adjusted for inflation and economic growth to 2026 price and GDP levels, the total revenue is 4.9% below the 2012 baseline.

Online casinos generated the highest GGR at DKK4.31 billion (38% of the market), up 12.1% (DKK465 million) year-on-year and more than doubling (+139%) since 2012.

Monopoly lotteries (including Lotto, Klasselotterier and scratch tickets) accounted for DKK3.49 billion or 30% of the market, down 6.2% (DKK230 million) from 2024.

Sports betting declined by 11.5% (DKK277 million) to a total GGR of DKK2.13 billion, representing 19% of the market.

Slot machines contributed DKK1.18 billion (10% of total revenue), falling 6.8% (DKK86 million) year-on-year.

Land-based casinos saw a 5.6% decline with GGR of DKK378 million (3% of the market). Newly liberalised land-based bingo appeared for the first time with a modest GGR of DKK30 million (less than 1%).

Online and mobile trends

Online gambling continued to dominate the Danish market in 2025. It comprised 73% of the total GGR in 2025, up from 70% in 2024 and a dramatic increase from just 33% in 2012.

Mobile devices were the primary platform for online gambling. In 2025, 73% of online gambling revenue came through mobile devices, versus only 27% in 2012 for both online casino and betting combined.

Specifically, 69% of online casino revenue originated from mobile platforms. Online slots led the online casino segment, representing 82% of online casino GGR (DKK3.54 billion). Roulette and blackjack each accounted for approximately 6% of online casino revenue (DKK246 million and DKK267 million, respectively).

The iGaming scene has expanded in Denmark over the last 12 months, with Digitain announcing its arrival into the market in May . At the time of announcement, Arshak Muradyan, group chief compliance officer at Digitain, commented: “Denmark is recognised for its strong compliance standards and mature gaming ecosystem, making this achievement particularly significant for our continued European growth strategy.”

Expanding on the ground too

By the end of 2025, Spillemyndigheden had issued a total of 1,970 licences across various gambling categories. There were 41 licences issued for online casino (including three temporary, revenue-limited permits capped at DKK1 million GGR) with 27 betting licences (including two revenue-limited).

Around 277 permits for physical slot machine operations were given, authorising 23,172 machines nationwide.

In addition, there were 12 land-based bingo licences, introduced following the market’s liberalisation on 1 January 2025.

Four monopoly holders retain exclusive rights to major commercial lotteries.

The report highlighted significant disparity among operators: a majority reported GGR under DKK25 million, but several leading companies generated more than DKK100 million each.

Problem Gambling

Concerns around responsible gambling persisted in 2025. The voluntary exclusion register (ROF