Hello There! Let‘s Talk About Gambling Addiction Statistics for 2024

Gambling is a common recreational activity. But did you know it can also lead to serious addiction? I want to have an open conversation about the realities of gambling disorder.

In this guide, we‘ll unpack the latest gambling addiction statistics – from financial impacts to mental health connections. My goal is to help you understand this complex issue compassionately and objectively.

I‘ve gathered facts from government sources, charities, treatment centers and research studies. You‘ll also find my commentary as an online privacy expert. My hope is this content not only informs you, but also sparks thoughtful discussion.

So why dive into such a heavy topic?…Because only by facing reality can we start dismantling stigma and getting proper help to those who need it.

Now, let‘s get informed!

Key Gambling Addiction Statistics 2024

Gambling disorder affects more than just individual gamblers. It ripples out to harm families, communities, and society as well.

• 1% of American adults have gambling disorder – over 2 million people when applied nationwide (1)
• An additional 2-3% of adults are at risk of developing a problem, around 6 million people (2)
• Young adults ages 18-29 have much higher rates of gambling addiction than older adults (1)
• Men have nearly double the rate of gambling disorder compared to women (1)
• Having a substance use disorder multiplies your gambling addiction risk by 17 times (3)
• Up to 8% of U.S. military veterans may be problem gamblers – significantly higher than the general population (4)

4 Major Gambling Addiction Trends in 2024

1. Alcohol and gambling problems often co-occur. Gamblers with alcohol use disorders have a 23-fold increased risk of disordered gambling. (5)
2. Millions are at risk. An estimated 6 million American adults currently show signs of problem gambling. (2)
3. Most people gamble. Over 80% of the U.S. adult population reports gambling at some point in their lives. (6)
4. Starts young. An estimated 750,000 American teens ages 14-21 already have a gambling addiction. (7)

College Students Face High Risks of Gambling Addiction

• Around 6% of college students in the U.S. may meet the criteria for problem gambling. (8)
• 75% of students have gambled in the past year – half do so regularly. (9)
• Young adults enrolled in college have more than double the risk of developing gambling disorder compared to peers not in college. (1)

"These statistics are mirrored in other countries like the U.K., where an estimated 88,000 university students are problem gamblers."

Links Between Criminal Activity and Gambling Addiction

• 80-90% of Gamblers Anonymous members report committing illegal acts to fund their addiction. (10)
• On average, 50% of individuals with gambling disorder have engaged in criminal behaviors to obtain money for gambling purposes. (11)
• As gambling problems grow more severe, rates of associated criminal activity like theft, fraud and embezzlement also rise. (12)

Severity of Gambling Problem	Percent Committing Crimes
No problem	9%
At-risk gambling	25%
Problem gambling	57%
Pathological gambling	95%

"In one sample of Gamblers Anonymous members, 38% admitted stealing an average of $135,000 to fund their addiction." (13)

Connections Between Gambling Disorder and PTSD

PTSD and gambling addiction co-occur at concerning rates:

• 34% of people seeking help for gambling disorder show PTSD symptoms. (14)
• In a sample of 260 U.S. veterans, 32.7% reported gambling in the past year – significantly higher than the general population rate of 15%. (15)
• The most common form of gambling among Veterans is lottery games, with 25% naming it as their top gambling activity. (15)
• Across various studies, 12.5-29% of people with gambling disorder also have PTSD. (16)
• 13.1% of Army wives in one study reported experiencing domestic violence linked to their spouse‘s gambling disorder. (17)

"This striking overlap with PTSD highlights how trauma drives some individuals to gamble as an unhealthy coping mechanism."

Mental Health and Gambling Addiction: The Vicious Cycle

The brain changes caused by gambling disorder put individuals at high risk for certain co-occurring mental illnesses like:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depressive disorders
• Anti-social personality disorders
• Substance use disorders (18)

In turn, these mental health conditions can worsen gambling addiction, creating a vicious downward spiral. Effective treatment must address both simultaneously.

Gambling Addiction in the United States 2024

Now, let‘s explore the state of gambling addiction across America today…

1% of U.S. Adults Have a Gambling Disorder

This may sound low. But it represents over 2.5 million Americans who are severely addicted to gambling. (1)

Many experts believe this is a major underestimate since few gamblers get treatment. Unlike drug addiction, the "hidden" nature of gambling disorder makes it hard to quantify accurately. (19)

3 Million More Americans Are at Risk of Developing a Gambling Problem

Around 2.5 million Americans currently have disordered gambling. But another 3 million show early signs of addiction, classifying them as "at-risk" gamblers. (2)

Plus 15 million more have some low level of risk, while 148 million have no risk factors.

Gambling Debts Are a Heavy Financial Burden

Disordered gambling commonly leads to severe debt…

• Over 23 million Americans have accrued gambling-related debt. (20)
• The average gambling debt amount is a steep $55,000. (20)
• Many desperate gamblers accrue more debt trying in vain to score a big win to repay their losses.

15% of Americans Gamble Weekly

15% of U.S. adults gamble on a weekly basis (6) – that‘s over 38 million people based on the total population!

Additionally, around 85% have gambled at some point in their lifetime. (6)

Of regular gamblers, 6% show problematic gambling behavior. (6) And approximately 500,000 American adolescents also struggle with gambling addiction. (7)

American Gamblers Spend Big

Over $500 billion in gambling revenue comes from Americans‘ pockets annually. (21)

The 2.9% of U.S. gamblers with gambling disorder contribute substantially to this spending. For example, 2022 gambling revenues in Las Vegas totaled $1.7 billion. (22)

"With the rise of online gambling, spending and addiction rates are likely to climb even higher."

Global Gambling Addiction Statistics & Facts

Gambling disorder doesn‘t just impact the U.S. – it‘s a problem around the world.

In the United Kingdom

• 0.5% of UK adults have a gambling problem – around 275,000 people. (23)
• An additional 3.1% admit staking more money gambling than they can afford to lose – a warning sign for addiction risk. (23)
• 7% say they specifically gamble to make money for living expenses. (23)

Young People in the UK Face Problem Gambling Too

Like we saw with U.S. students, many British university students also struggle with gambling addiction.

• Surveys estimate around 88,000 students in the UK are problem gamblers. (24)
• 50% of student gamblers have accumulated £1,000 in gambling debt – gambling beyond their means. (24)

Billions Lost Annually in the UK

Experts estimate the socioeconomic costs of gambling disorder in the UK range from:

• £226 million per year up to £1.3 billion per year (25)

That‘s around £2.10 lost per adult per week.

"Left unaddressed, individual gambling disorders multiply to cause serious financial damage on a national scale."

In Australia

• From 2017-2018, $19.19 million AUD was lost due to problem gambling – a 5% increase from 2016. (26)
• With Australia‘s adult population size, this averages out to $9,250 AUD lost per individual.

In Canada

• 0.6% of Canadian adults have a gambling disorder – around 206,000 people. (27)
• An additional 2.7% of Canadians are considered at-risk gamblers. (27)
• Since 2002, Canada has seen a 45% decline in disordered gambling. Ongoing prevention and treatment efforts are working. (27)

In China

• Many mainland Chinese gamblers turn to offshore gambling websites and apps, despite bans. Around 70% of these sites are based in the Philippines. (28)
• China‘s first and only gambling disorder rehab center treats around 50 new patients every month and has helped thousands recover over 12+ years. (28)
• This high demand highlights the urgent need for expanded treatment options in China.

In Nigeria

• An estimated 60 million Nigerian adults aged 18-40 bet on sports daily. (29)
• Nigerians spend approximately $5 million daily on sports gambling. (29)
• Easy access to online sports betting contributes to disordered gambling among Nigerian youth.

In Sub-Saharan Africa

• 54% of youth surveyed across Sub-Saharan Africa report engaging in some form of gambling. (30)
• Rates are highest in Kenya at 76% and lowest in Ghana at 42%. Uganda falls in the middle at 57%. (30)
• Unregulated gambling markets can negatively impact vulnerable groups like youth.

In Japan

• Recovery hotlines received over 5,000 pleas for help with gambling disorder in 2019 – the highest in a decade. (31)
• As Japan has legalized more gambling options, addiction rates have risen in parallel.
• Japan exemplifies the need to pair gambling legalization with adequate treatment funding.

Problem Gambling Statistics Worldwide

Let‘s look at a few more statistics related to the global impacts of gambling disorder…

Women Don‘t Seek Help for Gambling Problems

In Gamblers Anonymous groups, the gender gap is striking:

• 90% of calls from men are for their own gambling addictions. (32)
• Just 41% of calls from women are seeking support for themselves – most call about someone else‘s gambling problem. (32)

Overall, only 1% of women who experience gambling harms ever seek help. (32)

Younger Gamblers Don‘t Wait for Adulthood

• 1.9% of adolescents ages 11-16 in Scotland and England are problem gamblers. (33)
• Another 2.7% are at risk of developing gambling problems. (33)
• Over half of youths ages 11-16 have gambled in the past year. (33)

Starting gambling from a young age raises addiction risks later in life.

Younger Adults Are More Likely to Get Help

GamCare, a leading UK gambling addiction charity, received over 38,000 calls for help in 2020. (34)

In 6 out of 10 cases, the caller was under 35 years old. Younger gamblers are the most likely to seek treatment.

But limited age verification makes underage gambling too accessible online.

Gambling Frequency Peaks Around Ages 35-44

In the UK, regular gambling habits peak between ages 35-44, with 2.9% gambling at least monthly. (35)

After age 45, gambling declines but remains steady at around 2% among adults over 45. (35)

FAQs: Your Gambling Addiction Questions, Answered

Now, let‘s tackle some frequently asked questions about gambling disorder:

What are the signs of a gambling problem?

• Being preoccupied with gambling and planning the next bet
• Needing to gamble more and more to feel excitement
• Repeated failed attempts to cut back on gambling
• Feeling restless or irritable when trying to stop gambling
• Gambling to escape problems or change moods
• Lying to conceal gambling activities
• Jeopardizing relationships and obligations to keep gambling
• Committing crimes to get money to gamble

What makes gambling so addictive?

Gambling triggers dopamine release in the brain‘s reward system, causing a "high." For some, chasing this dopamine rush becomes compulsive and continues despite harms.

Genetics play a role too. And mental health issues like anxiety, PTSD and depression also raise gambling addiction risks.

How many gambling addicts are there worldwide?

There are no definitive global statistics. Many problem gamblers never seek help or admit to addiction.

In the U.S., around 2.5 million adults have gambling disorder. In Britain, about 430,000 people are problem gamblers. Other countries like Canada and Australia estimate 0.5-1% have the disorder.

In countries where gambling is popular and accessible, addiction rates are likely severely underestimated.

Can you overcome a gambling addiction?

Yes, with proper treatment and support, gambling disorder can be overcome, and recovery is possible. Helpful strategies include therapy, support groups, medication, limiting access to funds, self-excluding from gambling venues, and finding healthier stress outlets.

It takes commitment and isn‘t easy, but many former gambling addicts now lead happy, productive lives in recovery.

Is gambling addiction considered a mental illness?

Yes, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classifies gambling disorder alongside other addictions.

Like substance addictions, it causes short-term highs but long-term mental health damage. Effective treatment must address both the addiction and mental health aspects.

In Conclusion…

I hope looking at all these gambling addiction statistics has opened your eyes to the real impacts disordered gambling has on so many lives.

My goal was not to condemn gambling altogether. Rather, I want to destroy stigma around gambling harms so more people feel comfortable reaching out for help without shame.

The compassionate, evidence-based approach is to keep strengthening prevention, regulation, treatment and support worldwide.

Change starts with each of us getting educated, showing empathy, and advocate for solutions. Brighter days are ahead as we work on this together.

Now you‘re equipped with the facts. I encourage you to stay open-minded, get informed, and turn knowledge into action. Thanks for listening – I‘m glad we had this talk!

Sources:

1. National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)
2. North American Foundation for Gambling Addiction Help (NHS)
3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
4. National Center for PTSD
5. Mayo Clinic
6. Statista
7. Journal of Gambling Studies
8. Gambling Research Exchange Ontario (GREO)
9. University of Buffalo Research Institute on Addictions
10. Gamblers Anonymous
11. McGill University
12. American Journal of Psychiatry
13. Psychology Today
14. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
15. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
16. Brain Sciences
17. Military Medicine
18. VeryWell Mind
19. Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ)
20. CreditCards.com
21. Business Insider
22. Statista
23. U.K. Gambling Commission
24. Gambling Therapy
25. GambleAware
26. Queensland Government Statistician’s Office
27. Canadian Journal of Addiction
28. South China Morning Post (SCMP)
29. Vanguard Nigeria
30. Youth Gambling in Sub-Saharan Africa study
31. Casino.org
32. GamCare
33. Gambling Commission Young People Survey
34. GamCare
35. YouGov UK