Denmark’s Ministry of Tax has estimated that problem gambling will cost the state 10 million kroner a year, the Copenhagen Post reported.
That’s the amount that the country is preparing to spend to fight gambling addiction, the Tax Ministry announced in a press release April 18.
Some lawmakers blame the effect of using sports and acting celebrities in gaming advertising for a rise in gambling among young people.
Tax Minister Jeppe Bruus told reporters, “The development we are seeing in the gaming area is very worrying.” He added, “Gambling addiction can have major and long-lasting consequences for those involved, and we have a special obligation to protect children and young people and other vulnerable groups.”
Using celebrities “normalizes” gambling, said Bruus, “so the Danes think of it as something harmless, because it is all over the place. And I can understand that. But gambling for money is not harmless.”
