Denmark’s national lottery, Danske Spil, managed to raise a record-breaking social funds in 2024 thanks to strong full-year financial results.
Company accounts showed a total of DKK 5.26bn (£592m) in GGR at the end of December, with full-year net profit standing at DKK 2bn (£214m). Part of the growth was attributed to the larger prize pools of lotteries and the increased interest among Danish players.
Nikolas Lyhne-Knudsen, CEO of Danske Spil, said: “The unpredictability inherent in how often the large pools are built up means that Danske Spil must be ready to seize the opportunity when it arises. And we are. We have managed to make the most of the extra attention that the high lottery pools create.
“At the same time, we are constantly working to get even closer to the Danes – their everyday lives, traditions and communities.”
Danske Spil additionally managed to allocate around DKK 1.8bn of funds to various social initiatives, which constituted an 8% increase from 2023. Total social contributions stood at a record DKK 3.3bn.
Problem gambling
Responsible gambling campaigns in 2024 helped reduce Danske Spil’s total number of high-risk customers to 0.32% of the state operator’s betting and casino portfolio.
In addition, a problem gambling prevention project was also launched by Danske Spil in collaboration with the Research Clinic for Gambling Addiction at Aarhus University Hospital, leading to a doubling in the number of people receiving support when compared to 2022.
Danske Spil also ensured compliance with the whistle-to-whistle TV sports betting marketing ban, which the operator reminded has contributed to halving of TV gambling advertising since 2019.
Future outlook
Looking ahead, Danske Spil informed shareholders that it expects GGR of between DKK 5.1bn and DKK 5.3bn for 2025, with net profits in the range of DKK 1.9bn to DKK 2bn.
Both estimates are slightly higher than the ones predicted at the start of 2024, factoring in the higher lottery pools and the number of draws for the previous year.
Charlotte Bach Thomassen, Chairman of Danske Spil, concluded: “Danske Spil was created to create value for all of Denmark, and this year we are sending a record amount back to the community. This is money that makes a real difference for sports, voluntary engagement and culture.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to be able to say that we are very satisfied with the year’s accounts, which are strong proof that responsibility and the gaming business are not opposites – quite the opposite.
“Danske Spil shows that you can run a profitable business and at the same time take responsibility for your customers with a strengthened effort for healthy gaming habits.”