Compulsive gambling in Denmark

What is compulsive gambling?

Persons who are affected by problem gambling often experience an increased desire to gamble but enjoy the game less and less. Often, persons with a problematic gambling behaviour are drawn to games with a short time between stake and result. This means games that are decided quickly after the stake is made. When gambling gets out of control, it affects the person’s life in relation to social relations, work and education, physical and mental health and financial situation. Compulsive gambling can be mistaken for stress, depression, or anxiety. It is important to talk to others about one’s problem gambling and get help to stop. 

Gambling problems in Denmark

In Denmark, studies of the prevalence of gambling problems among adult Danes are made regularly. The most recent study was made in 2021. 
The main conclusions of the study “Prevalence study on gambling and gambling problems in Denmark 2021” were: 

• It is estimated that about 478,000 Danes have at least a low level of gambling problems.  
• It is estimated that about 29,500 adult Danes have serious gambling problems.  
• Adults with gambling problems are predominantly men between the ages 18-24 and 25-39. 
• Adults with gambling problems often name online betting or land-based betting as their first gambling activity while adults without gambling problems often name scratch cards as their first gambling activity. 
• Adults who have gambling problems state that their preferred games are online casino and online betting. 

The study is made by Rambøll and you can read the entire report under "Press and publications" (only in Danish).

A previous study “Gambling and gambling problems in Denmark 2005-2016” conducted by VIVE is available on VIVE's website: study of gambling and problem gambling in Denmark (only in Danish).

Young people and problematic gambling 

Children and young people constitute a particularly vulnerable group in relation to gambling. There are indications that an early first gambling activity and experiences of winning on gambling increases the risk of developing a problematic gambling behaviour later in life. Previous studies have shown that the most intensive gamblers are young boys and that they prefer games where the time between stake and result is short, for example sports betting. The most recent data on children and young people’s spending on gambling and experiences with gambling are available in the study “Prevalence study of gambling and compulsive gambling in Denmark 2021”. 

The main conclusions of the study relating to 12-17-year-old children and young people are:   

• It is estimated that about 24,500 children and young people have at least a low level of gambling problems.   
• It is estimated that about 2,600 children and young people have serious gambling problems. 
• Children and young people with gambling problems are predominantly boys. 
• The majority of children and young people both with and without gambling problems started gambling when they were between 9 and 14 years old. 
• Children and young people with gambling problems often name online betting as their first gambling activity. The preferred gambling activities among children and young people are online betting and online casino. 
• Children and young people with gambling problems have typically been introduced to gambling by a friend and they are more likely to have social relations who gamble.

The study is made by Rambøll and you can read the entire report here (only in Danish). 

A previous study “Gambling among young people in Denmark 2007-2016” conducted by VIVE is available on VIVE's website: study of gambling among young people in Denmark (only in Danish).