Gambling Addiction Statistics

Prevalence of Gambling Addiction

Gambling addiction is one of the most common behavioral addictions. In fact, it’s currently the only behavioral addiction listed in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition).

Despite the serious consequences gambling has on addicts, the gross gaming revenue of the gambling industry in the U.S. reached nearly 53 billion dollars in 2021 and grows more every year, according to Statista.

According to the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), approximately 5 million Americans meet the criteria for compulsive gambling. However, only about 8% of these individuals will ever seek help.

Research from the NCPG also indicates that:

• Two million American adults in the U.S. meet severe gambling criteria.
• Four to six million American adults meet mild or moderate gambling criteria.

Who Develops a Gambling Addiction?

Gambling issues can affect people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. However, some demographics are more impacted by gambling addiction than others. For example, research indicates that young men and boys are more likely to have problematic gambling behavior.

Gambling Addiction by Gender

When it comes to gambling addiction and gender, men are more likely to develop addictive behaviors than women. Gender differences seem to occur as early as young adulthood, but little is known about the risk factors accounting for these differences in gambling involvement.

• Yale Medicine reports that men outnumber women at a ratio of about 2 to 1 among people with gambling addictions, although there are a growing number of women with gambling disorders.
• Research from the University of California shows that 2.9% of women were problem gamblers compared to 4.2% of men.
• A study published in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors found that 91% of college men and 84% of college women reported they gambled. Of these emerging adults who gambled, 14% of men and 3% of women gambled at problematic levels.

Gambling Addiction by Age

Gambling addiction affects people of all ages, but some age groups may be more likely to develop serious gambling issues. Current research shows that people in their early 20s are the fastest-growing group of gamblers.

• Up to 5% of adolescents and young adults who gamble develop a disorder.
• Harvard Medical School reports that 7% of college students meet the criteria for problem gambling.
• According to Dalhousie University, in a sample of college students, 42% engaged in gambling, and 7% of the sample was gambling at problematic levels.

Gambling Addiction by Race

While individuals of any ethnic background may develop a gambling addiction, there is evidence that ethnic minorities may be at greater risk of developing gambling issues.

According to research from Columbia University, the following rates of disordered gambling have been found:

• Black/African Americans (2.2%)
• Native/Asian Americans (2.3%)
• White/Caucasian (1.2%)

That same study indicated that specifically, Native Americans, Asians, African Americans, and Hispanics showed a greater prevalence of disordered gambling when compared to Caucasians. Such research suggests that these groups may be more at risk for disordered gambling.

Gambling by Region

Gambling addiction is a serious problem in America. Despite Nevada having the most casinos (thanks to Las Vegas), the state does not have the highest rates of gambling addiction. That unfortunate honor goes to Oklahoma, with 6.2% of its population having a gambling addiction.

Gambling addiction is also a serious issue worldwide. According to Time2Play’s gambling statistics:

• China has the most gambling addicts in the world. Close to 60 million Chinese are gambling addicts, or 4% of the Chinese population.
• In Australia, 3.1% of the population has problems with gambling.
• In Canada, 3.2% of the population has problems with gambling.

Types of Gambling and Addiction Rates

Gambling comes in many different forms. Although most people think of casino games such as slot machines and poker tables, there are several different types of gambling activities, like sports gambling, online gambling, lotteries, and horse betting.

• Slot machines are the most addictive, with 75% of problem gamblers playing slots.
• Harvard Medical School reports that 81% of gambling addicts play online or through gambling-related apps.
• According to recent studies, 24% of gambling addicts bet on sports in the US. Worldwide, 38% of gambling addicts participate in sports betting.

Consequences of Gambling Addiction

The effect gambling addiction has on families can be catastrophic. Many gambling addicts will go into serious debt throughout the course of their addiction. Sadly, gambling addicts are 15 times more likely to commit suicide due to the consequences of their gambling addiction.

• Debt.org reports that up to 23 million Americans land in debt due to gambling.
• Debt.org also reports that 90% of individuals with gambling addiction withdraw cash advances from their credit cards to gamble.
• Around 3% of American problem gamblers have more than $300,000 in gambling debts.

Treatment Statistics for Gambling Addicts

Unfortunately, not all gambling addicts will seek help. Many gambling addicts also suffer from co-occurring issues like substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and mood disorders, which can worsen their impulsivity while gambling.

• According to the American Psychiatric Association, over 80% of people who have some type of gambling addiction never seek treatment.
• Of those who do seek treatment for their gambling problem, over 70% relapse and return to gambling.

Getting Help for Gambling Addiction

Gambling addiction can be a challenging condition to treat, but full recovery from the condition is possible with the right treatment and support. If you or a loved one has gambling issues, now is the time to seek help before further financial harm can occur.

Talk to your doctor or mental health provider about your issues with gambling. You can also use the National Problem Gambling Helpline, which has text, call, and online chat options for people seeking help with gambling issues.

Another option is to check out SAMHSA’s online treatment locator or call 1-800-662-4357 to find addiction treatment centers.