A recent survey involving nearly 2,000 students revealed improvements in gambling awareness following presentations conducted by the Danish Gambling Authority. Results indicate that participants are more inclined to view gambling as a form of entertainment rather than a means to earn money.
The Danish Gambling Authority's free presentations aimed at youth educational institutions ran from September 2024 to March 2025, focusing on the mechanics of gambling games. Researchers evaluated responses from 1,433 students prior to the sessions and another 534 responses collected three to six weeks later. The age group of the surveyed students ranged from 16 to 20 years old.
Before the presentations, students were asked about their reasons for gambling. Post-presentation, there was a notable shift in their responses; fewer students cited winning money as their primary motivation. The report emphasized that this aligns with the essential message communicated in the sessions—that gambling should be perceived as entertainment instead of a source of income.
Additionally, the study found heightened awareness among students regarding what constitutes gambling. Many, especially young women, were surprised to learn that scratchcards, including festive Christmas calendar cards, are classified as gambling. Among female respondents, the recognition of having engaged in gambling surged from 19% before the presentation to 48% afterwards.
In terms of licensing awareness, the findings indicated that students became more informed about the Danish gambling licence mark, which signifies that an operator has been authorized to operate within Denmark. Among the male respondents, awareness of the mark increased significantly from 39% to 61% after attending the presentation.
The majority of students—over three-quarters—agreed with fundamental messages from the presentations: all forms of gambling have a payback percentage below 100%, profiting from gambling over time is mathematically improbable, the Gambling Authority’s logo signifies a Danish licence, and gambling should be treated as entertainment. Most respondents felt they maintained control over their gambling habits, with approximately 69% agreeing or strongly agreeing with this.
Anders Dorph, director of the Danish Gambling Authority, emphasized the importance of providing young individuals with a nuanced understanding of gambling mechanics. He expressed joy in seeing clear evidence that the presentations were impactful.
Heine Jakobsen, a special consultant in the Authority’s presentation group, noted how many students were unaware that scratchcards were considered gambling. He highlighted a prevalent misunderstanding surrounding which activities are classified as gambling, particularly among girls, who often find this information surprising.
Recently, the Danish Gambling Authority has intensified its focus on younger audiences and their interaction with the gambling industry. As part of a campaign aimed at preventing underage gambling, it has launched the initiative "Casino in the Children Room," which encourages discussions that extend beyond screen time issues to address the nature of in-game content and mechanics.
