Online Casinos Overtake Lotteries as Denmark’s Largest 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 from the Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden), this marks the first time the shift has occurred since the partial liberalisation of Denmark’s gambling market in 2012.

The report, Spilmarkedet i tal 2025, was published on Monday. It shows a maturing market where digital channels now drive the majority of activity. For executives managing client-partners across regulated European jurisdictions, this data offers a clear signal on where consumer preferences are heading.

Revenue Snapshot and Segment Shifts

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

Online casinos generated the highest GGR at DKK4.31 billion, capturing 38% of the market. This figure rose 12.1% (DKK465 million) year-on-year and has more than doubled with a +139% increase since 2012.

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

Sports betting declined 11.5% (DKK277 million) to DKK2.13 billion, representing 19% of the market. Slot machines contributed DKK1.18 billion (10% of total revenue), down 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 GGR of DKK30 million (less than 1%).

This reordering of segments is more than a ranking change. It reflects sustained double-digit growth in online casino while traditional verticals contract.

Online and Mobile Dominance

Online gambling comprised 73% of total GGR in 2025, up from 70% in 2024 and a sharp rise from 33% in 2012. Mobile devices handled 73% of online gambling revenue in 2025, compared with only 27% in 2012 for online casino and betting combined.

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

The iGaming scene continues to expand. In May, Digitain announced its entry into the Danish market. At the time, 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.”

For operators and suppliers, the mobile-first reality means product roadmaps must prioritise seamless device performance and compliance tooling that travels across borders.

Licensing Landscape and Operator Concentration

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

Around 277 permits covered physical slot machine operations, authorising 23,172 machines nationwide. There were 12 land-based bingo licences following liberalisation on 1 January 2025. Four monopoly holders retain exclusive rights to major commercial lotteries.

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

This concentration highlights a structural shift. Scale advantages in online casino appear to be compounding, while smaller players face pressure across both digital and land-based channels.

Responsible Gambling Pressures and Risk Considerations

Concerns around responsible gambling persisted. The voluntary exclusion register (ROFUS) expanded to 68,026 individuals, growing by approximately 12,000 since the end of 2024. Men comprised 79% of registrants, and 69% were under the age of 40.

The helpline StopSpillet received a record 727 enquiries in 2025, matching near the high of 728 calls in 2019. Of these, 57% were from players themselves and 40% from relatives. Notably, 45% of player callers reported having started gambling before the age of 18.

Among callers, problem gambling was most frequently linked to online casino (62%) and online betting (22%). The average problem-gambling severity score was 5.61 on a 0-9 scale.

Any conversation about online casino growth must acknowledge these risks. The data shows that as the segment expands, so does its visibility in help-seeking behaviour. Operators cannot treat responsible gambling tools as optional. They must integrate them into the core product experience if long-term sustainability is the goal. This is especially true in mature markets like Denmark where regulatory scrutiny remains high.

The Bottom Line

Denmark’s 2025 figures confirm what many have observed across Europe: online casino has become the growth engine while lotteries and land-based verticals face structural headwinds. The 12.1% year-on-year increase in online casino GGR, the 73% online share of total revenue, and the mobile dominance at 73% of online activity paint a picture of a digital-first market that has fully matured since liberalisation in 2012.

For gaming executives and their client-partners, the lesson is clear. Investment in compliant, mobile-optimised casino experiences delivers returns, but only when paired with robust player protection measures. The rise in ROFUS registrations and helpline calls tied to online casino cannot be ignored.

What happens next in Denmark will be instructive for other regulated jurisdictions weighing similar shifts. The authority’s decision to defer its updated channelisation report until later in 2026 leaves questions about unlicensed activity unanswered for now. Operators that treat both growth and accountability as non-negotiable will be best positioned as Europe’s iGaming markets continue to evolve.