In certain instances, we may earn revenue when a reader makes a purchase or completes a form through our pages or on a partner’s website. We adhere to a strict Is gambling just a harmless thrill? Surely not. Gambling addiction statistics show a rise in problem gambling, with millions losing fortunes, relationships, and even their mental health. Online betting, fast-paced games, and easy access are fueling an addiction crisis, especially among young adults.
Are you at risk? The numbers are more alarming than you think. Keep reading to see the dark reality of gambling addiction.
Key Takeaways
- 1.2% of adults worldwide are diagnosed with a gambling disorder, and young adults are at the highest risk.
- Problem gamblers account for 60% of total gambling losses, highlighting the severe financial impact of addiction.
- Men are more likely than women to develop severe gambling problems, with young men under 30 facing the highest risk.
- Online gambling, especially fast-paced games like slots and sports betting, is strongly linked to gambling addiction.
- Gambling addiction contributes to financial distress, mental health struggles, and social harm, with an estimated $14 billion annual cost in the US alone.
- Despite the availability of treatment options, stigma and ineffective industry regulations prevent many problem gamblers from seeking help.
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Gambling Addiction: Global Overview & Industry Impact
Gambling addiction is a growing issue worldwide, affecting millions of people and causing major financial losses.
As of 2024, 1.2% of adults worldwide had a gambling disorder, showing that problem gambling is a serious concern (WHO, 2024).
At the same time, people gambling at harmful levels were responsible for 60% of total gambling losses, proving the financial risks linked to addiction.
These gambling addiction statistics worldwide illustrate how gambling-related harm is a growing issue across different regions, especially given the use of online platforms and mobile betting. As the industry grows, so does the risk of gambling-related harm, especially for vulnerable groups.
Gambling Addiction in the United States
Gambling is very common in the United States. About 85% of adults have gambled at least once in their lives, and 60% have done so in the past year (NCPG, 2025). While many people gamble for fun, for some, it can turn into a serious problem.
According to the latest gambling addiction statistics, even if these people do not have a full-blown gambling addiction, their gambling still causes problems in their lives.
Young people are at a higher risk. Teenagers and children are more likely than adults to develop gambling problems, and those who start gambling at a young age have a higher chance of becoming addicted later in life.
Furthermore, gambling addiction is often linked to other problems. Americans with a gambling problem are more likely to have other addictions, such as alcohol or drug abuse. In many cases, gambling addiction runs in families, as many addicts say that one or both of their parents had issues with alcohol or gambling.
The type of gambling also makes a difference. Fast-paced games, where people get quick results, are more likely to cause addiction. This means that activities like slot machines and online betting may be more dangerous than slower types of gambling.
Gambling Addiction by Gender & Age
Problem Gambling by Gender
Statistics on gambling addiction highlight that gambling habits differ between American men and women, although lottery tickets and scratch-offs were the most common forms of gambling for both genders in 2024 (FDU Poll, 2024).
However, men are more likely to engage in riskier forms of gambling. In 2024, sports gambling addiction statistics show that 15% of American men took part in online sports betting, compared to only 6% of women.
This pattern is also reflected in gambling-related harm. Globally, around 11.9% of men experience some level of gambling harm, compared to 5.5% of women (WHO, 2024).
Furthermore, in 2024, 67% of people seeking help for gambling problems worldwide were men, which suggests that men are more affected by severe gambling disorders (QuitGamble, 2024).
These gambling addiction statistics worldwide reveal that men are more likely than women to develop severe gambling issues.
Meanwhile, women with gambling problems tend to look for help in different ways. In the US, 50% of individuals seeking online support for gambling addiction were women, showing that they prefer digital help over traditional treatment.
Age-Based Gambling Trends
In 2024, 45% of men under 30 in the US reported at least one gambling problem behavior, compared to 33% of women in the same age group (FDU Poll, 2024).
Furthermore, 10% of US men aged 18-30 met the criteria for gambling addiction, which is much higher than the 3% national average.
Women in this age group were also affected, though at lower rates. 7% of women aged 18-30 had PGSI scores indicating problem gambling, confirming that young adults are more at risk of developing a gambling addiction.
But why is gambling addictive for this age group? The chance to win money quickly, easy access to online gambling, and pressure from friends make young people more likely to struggle with problem gambling.
On the other hand, older people were far less likely to have PGSI scores showing gambling problems, suggesting that gambling addiction decreases with age.
Why Do People Gamble?
People gamble for different reasons, but for many, it is more than just entertainment.
A survey of 3,320 gambling addicts worldwide, conducted between June 2023 and January 2024, found that 36% gambled mainly to win big (QuitGamble, 2024).
At the same time, 18% said they gambled to escape from personal problems, while another 18% did it for fun and excitement.
Financial problems are also a key reason why people gamble. In fact, 14% of problem gamblers said they played to win money and pay off loans, which can trap them in a cycle of debt.
Meanwhile, 7% gambled because they were bored, and 3% did so because they felt lonely.
Finally, very few gamblers mentioned social interaction as their main reason for gambling – only 1% said they gambled mainly to be around others.
Most Addictive Forms of Gambling
Worldwide
In 2024, 81% of problem gamblers worldwide played online, while only 14% gambled only in land-based casinos (QuitGamble, 2024). This shows that online gambling plays a major role in addiction.
Slot machines and casino games were among the most common choices for problem gamblers. 72% of gambling addicts played slot machines, and 80% took part in either live casino games or slot machines.
Sports gambling addiction statistics also highlight that betting is a big factor in gambling addiction. In 2024, 38% of gambling addicts worldwide bet on sports, while 22% of young problem gamblers (ages 18-25) placed bets on esports.
Other popular forms of gambling among global gambling addicts included scratch-off tickets (19%), the lottery (18%), bingo (13%), and betting on trotting races (8%).
Esports betting is also becoming more popular, with 12% of global gambling addicts placing bets on games like StarCraft, Dota 2, Fortnite, Counter-Strike, and League of Legends.
Beyond online gambling and sports betting, electronic gambling machines (EGMs) and casino games were also classified as high-risk. According to the WHO, these forms of gambling carry the greatest potential for triggering severe gambling addiction symptoms (WHO, 2024).
US
In the US, gambling addiction statistics show that online gambling is closely linked to addiction.
A 2024 survey of 801 registered voters found that online sports betting and online slot games had the highest rates of problem gambling. In fact, 68% of sports bettors and 81% of online slot players showed at least one sign of a gambling problem (FDU Poll, 2024).
Slot machines were the most popular choice among American problem gamblers. 76% of gambling addicts preferred slot machines, and the percentage was even higher among female gambling addicts, with 91% playing slots (QuitGamble, 2024b).
Meanwhile, 24% of American problem gamblers bet on sports, a lower percentage than the 38% global average.
The strong link between online gambling and addiction is also seen in overall gambling trends in the US. In 2024, 59% of US problem gamblers placed bets online, while only 34% visited land-based casinos.
However, despite the increase in online gambling, lottery tickets remain the most common form of gambling in the US. In 2024, 43% of adults bought lottery tickets, making it the most widely played gambling activity (FDU Poll, 2024).
The Toll of Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction has serious effects on both individuals and society. Studies indicate that many gamblers struggle with feelings of being out of control, frequent relapses, and financial difficulties.
This leads to an important question: Why is gambling addictive? The mix of dopamine release, quick rewards, and the feeling of being in control makes people keep gambling, even when it becomes risky (QuitGamble, 2024).
In the US, problem gamblers in 2024 reported the following struggles:
- 32% said their biggest challenge was feeling out of control
- 17% struggled with frequent relapses
- 14% faced financial difficulties due to gambling-related debt
The consequences of gambling addiction go beyond financial problems.
In 2024, gambling-related harm included financial distress, relationship breakdown, family violence, mental illness, suicide, stigma, and even criminal activities such as theft and fraud (WHO, 2024).
Furthermore, excessive gambling contributed to child neglect and weakened civil institutions due to corruption and corporate political influence.
In the US, the economic burden of gambling addiction is also significant. In fact, the estimated annual national social cost of problem gambling reached $14 billion in 2023, covering expenses related to the criminal justice system, healthcare, job losses, bankruptcies, and other financial damages (NCPG, 2025).
In extreme cases, problem gambling leads to bankruptcy, legal troubles, job loss, family issues, and even suicidal thoughts.
Debt & Financial Struggles
Debt was one of the biggest issues for problem gamblers worldwide, making it one of the most common signs of gambling addiction.
In 2024, 73% of gambling addicts worldwide reported struggling with debt, with women facing higher financial distress than men (QuitGamble, 2024).
In fact, worldwide, 78% of female problem gamblers had debt problems, compared to 71% of male problem gamblers.
The type of debt also varied by gender. While men were more likely to owe money to bookies and gambling companies, women were more likely to accumulate gambling-related credit card debt.
Furthermore, 13% of gambling addicts worldwide said their biggest struggle was managing gambling-related debt.
Mental & Emotional Effects
In addition to financial difficulties, gambling addiction has a strong impact on mental health.
In 2024, 35% of problem gamblers worldwide reported that their main issue was feeling out of control and needing structure, while 17% said frequent relapses were their biggest challenge (QuitGamble, 2024).
Statistics on gambling addiction also highlight how depression and low motivation are also common among gambling addicts. In fact, 9% of global problem gamblers said depression was their main struggle, while another 6% mentioned a lack of motivation (QuitGamble, 2024).
In the US, gambling addiction symptoms were also evident in the form of psychological tolls. A study found that 69% of problem gamblers had suffered from depression or severe anxiety in the past year (QuitGamble, 2024).
Risk Factors for Gambling Addiction
Certain life events and social conditions can increase the risk of developing a gambling problem.
- People going through major life changes – such as separation, retirement, injury, or the loss of a loved one – are more likely to develop gambling problems (WHO, 2024).
- At the same time, social stressors like poverty, discrimination, and other disadvantages also play a major role in increasing gambling-related harm.
Barriers to Seeking Help
Understanding how to deal with gambling addiction is essential for improving access to treatment.
Despite experiencing clear signs of gambling addiction, many problem gamblers do not seek treatment due to stigma and shame (WHO, 2024).
In addition, the gambling industry’s approach to prevention, known as “responsible gambling,” is mostly ineffective, as it places all the responsibility on individuals rather than addressing larger industry-related issues.
Voluntary gambling restriction measures, such as self-imposed spending limits, were also found to be ineffective due to low participation rates and poor enforcement.
As a result, only an estimated 0.14% of the global population seeks formal or informal treatment for gambling-related problems, showing that very few people take advantage of available support services.
Another study highlights how in 2024, 80% of global problem gamblers did not seek help, highlighting the urgent need for better support services (QuitGamble, 2024).
How to Deal With a Gambling Addiction
Although gambling addiction treatment accessibility remains an issue, some strategies have been found to help prevent gambling-related harm.
Mandatory pre-commitment systems, which require gamblers to set spending limits before betting, are among the most effective prevention measures (WHO, 2024).
Likewise, self-exclusion programs, which allow individuals to block themselves from gambling services, also prove to be helpful in reducing harm.
There are also different treatment options that have shown varying levels of success.
As of 2024, therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing were some of the most effective options for how to deal with gambling addiction effectively.
Meanwhile, other approaches such as self-help programs, medication-based treatments, and support groups have limited scientific evidence proving their effectiveness, although they are still widely used.
Online therapy also showed some promise for treating gambling addiction, but many people drop out of these programs before completing them, making it difficult for online treatments to be fully effective.
The Bottom Line
Gambling addiction is a serious problem worldwide, affecting millions of people financially, emotionally, and socially, with gambling addiction statistics showing that young adults and online gamblers are at higher risk.
While effective treatments are available, many do not seek help. Therefore, better regulations and support systems are needed to reduce gambling-related harm.
FAQs
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References
- Gambling (WHO, 2024)
- FAQs: What is Problem Gambling? (NCPG, 2025)
- FDU Poll finds Online Betting Leads to Problems for Young Men (FDU, 2024)
- Gambling Addiction Study With 3300 Participants (QuitGamble, 2024)
- Gambling Addiction Study USA | Gambling Habits (QuitGamble, 2024b)
- Gambling addiction triggers the same brain areas as drug and alcohol cravings (ScienceDaily)
- Most Gambling-Addicted States in 2025 (WalletHub)
- Gambling participation, experience of harm and community views (AIFS.gov)
