Danish Online Poker Numbers Fall
This was published 06-09-2013According to figures that have been released by the Danish Gambling Authority (DGA), it has been revealed that online poker numbers for the second quarter of this year have fallen. The second quarter’s revenues for 2013 have dropped from $9.8 million for the same period last year to $8.9 million, which is a drop of 9%.
The Danish Gambling Authority is of the opinion that poker revenues for this year will total $36.3 million, which is less than the total for last year.
The increased popularity of all other types of online gambling in the Scandinavian country appears to be the primary reason for the decline in the online poker numbers. The second quarter of this year showed gross online casino revenues climbing from approximately $41.5 million to $44.3 million. There has also been growing popularity in online sports betting which showed revenues climbing from $46.9 million to $59.2 million in the second quarter of 2013 amounting to a 26% year on year increase.
Denmarkis not the only European country where this downward trend has been noticed. Several other European countries, includingFranceandItalyhave also reported that there has been a decrease in online poker revenue over the past year.
According to the Danish Gambling Authority, online sports betting and casino revenues are expected to exceed expectations, while they expect online poker revenues to be more subdued.
Dankse Spil,Denmark’s state controlled group, currently dominates the online gambling inDenmarkand showed a 16% increase in total GGR to €308 million for the first half of 2013.
The French gambling authority on internet gambling, ARJEL, published similar figures late last month, proving that the growth of online poker is slowing down and could possible decline.
ARJEL revealed that figures for real money players dropped 7% to 273,000 players a year at licensed French poker sites. Analysts, therefore, are of the belief that online poker players are heading to offshore sites where they are offered better returns for their bankrolls.
Companies inFrancefind it very difficult to turn a profit due to the extreme competitive online gambling market, high tax rates and tough restrictions for operators.
