Jahrbuch Sucht 2023: decrease in gross revenue and number of persons making use of games of chance

There is massive criticism of games of chance: too much, too public, too dangerous. The “Jahrbuchsucht 2023” (addiction yearbook 2023) has also warned of risks when making using of casino games and sports betting. The yearbook also concludes that there has been a decline in the use of relevant services.

“Even more people are making regular use of games of chance“, “Games of chance have become a normal free time leisure activity.“ or “many citizens suffer from gambling problems“: we can read such headings and similar headings regularly – and not only on our media coverage. Sport betting providers and casinos are often pegged as being too attractive for the crowd and they are often blamed for creating difficulties for people.

There is no doubt that gambling services may at times have serious consequences. But it does not seem that these consequences are getting “worse” or more “problematic“. The Jahrbuchsucht 2023 actually came to two conclusions which contradict the general opinion: both the gross sales from games of chance and the number of participants making use of games of chance have decreased during the period under review.

Up to 59 % decrease

According to the “Jahrbuchsucht 2023”, the effects of the Corona pandemic have a large effect on the turnover and the gross sales made by the gambling providers.  The figures show a strong decrease of 59.3 % in the use of casinos and money slot machines of 59.3 %. The drop in sales stands at 41.4 %. Although 0.5 billion Euro are still being generated from this industry, there is a strong decline. The slot machines were the largest revenue contributor in 2020. Meanwhile they have now been taken down by sports betting.

The general number of participants making use of games of chance has also declined. The “Jahrbuch Sucht 2023” shows that 29.7 % of the citizens between the age of 16 and 70 make regular use of these services. This is definitely an impressive number. However, this registers a significant decrease of 8%.

A branch of the gambling sector made significant profit

Sports betting did not suffer any decline or losses - at first the “Jahrbuch Sucht” had a data breach which was then rectified by the Deutsche Sportwettenverband (DSWV). However, the trend is clearly upwards.

At first it was thought that the increase in the sports betting market was that of 409.6 %, which would be impressive and unbelievable. However, this figure was then adjusted to 21 % which is much less than the originally thought increase but still quite significant.

According to the DSWV, the market figures are based on the detailed information on the tax revenue made from sports betting which is published by the Federal Ministry of Finance.

Conclusion

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