A recent survey involving nearly 2,000 students has revealed a notable increase in awareness regarding gambling's mechanics and licensed operators after they participated in presentations by the Danish Gambling Authority. This increased awareness has also shifted students' motivations to gamble more towards entertainment rather than purely for monetary gains.
The Danish Gambling Authority conducted these educational sessions between September 2024 and March 2025 at various youth education institutions. Researchers analyzed responses from 1,433 students completed prior to the presentations and an additional 534 responses gathered three to six weeks afterward. The participants, primarily aged between 16 and 20, were surveyed online before and after the presentations, although individual responses could not be directly matched.
Post-presentation data indicated a shift in how students perceived gambling. They became less inclined to view winning money as their primary motive, instead emphasizing entertainment as a key factor. The report highlights this transition as aligning with a core message presented during the sessions—that gambling should be regarded as a form of entertainment rather than a revenue-generating activity.
Additionally, the survey showcased an increased understanding among students regarding what constitutes gambling. Notably, many students, especially young women, were previously unaware that items like scratchcards, including Christmas calendar scratchcards, are forms of gambling. Recognition of past gambling experience among female respondents increased significantly, from 19% pre-presentation to 48% afterward.
Awareness surrounding the Danish gambling license mark also improved, with male respondents reporting awareness rising from 39% to 61% post-session. More than three-quarters of all students who participated in the survey concurred with several key messages presented, including the idea that all gambling has a payback percentage under 100% and that long-term profit generation from gambling is mathematically improbable. About 69% of respondents expressed they felt in control of their gambling activities.
Anders Dorph, the director of the Danish Gambling Authority, emphasized the importance of providing young individuals with a nuanced perspective on gambling and its underlying mechanisms. He expressed satisfaction with the results, stating, "The fact that we can see in black and white that our presentation makes a difference naturally makes me very happy and proud of our efforts."
Similarly, Heine Jakobsen, a special consultant within the Authority, noted the common surprise among students regarding the classification of scratchcards as gambling. He remarked on the general lack of awareness concerning what activities fall under the gambling umbrella, highlighting that this realization often comes as a surprise, particularly for female students.
To further address the relationship between youth and gambling, the Danish Gambling Authority has initiated a campaign named "Casino in the Children Room." This initiative is aimed at expanding conversations about young people's digital habits beyond mere screen time to include the implications of in-game content and mechanics on their behavior and understanding of gambling.
