Gambling addiction has become one of the more dire concerns within the European market, overtaking individuals’ lives, and ruining families and livelihoods. The growing development of the iGaming industry has complicated matters even further – wagering is now more accessible than ever. With the rise of some pretty troubling statistics on gambling addiction, it’s become crucial to foster a dialogue and to spread awareness of this issue. In this article, we’ll explore the demographic trends of gambling addiction, its consequences and how to get the necessary support.

Prevalence of gambling addiction

This problem is quite apparent in European countries, especially in the UK, where some of the 0.7% of the population are problem gamblers. This may not seem like a lot at first glance, but this percentage amounts to around 590,000 people. Even more disturbing is the fact that 4%-6% of high school students are struggling with this issue.

In Europe as a whole, the numbers range between 0.7% and 6.5%. Multiple studies were done on this subject and it turns out that gender, income and a desire for escapism all positively correlate to developing a gambling addiction. Men in particular are more prone to being problem gamblers, according to statistics about gambling addiction. The problem gambling rate among men is 4.5% while it’s 2.9% in women. 

As far as motivation goes it’s somewhat universal for both genders. According to the data from the Gambling Commission, these are the factors that encourage this form of entertainment.

Demographic trends in gambling addiction statistics today

Here are some of the most prevalent factors that impact this behaviour.

Age 

The age bracket with the highest likelihood of gambling addiction is the 18-24 range, recording an addiction rate of 7.1%. According to QuitGamble.com’s statistics of gambling addiction, this rate decreases with age; 

Socioeconomic status

It’s a well-known fact that lower socioeconomic groups are more affected by this problem. A 2018 survey conducted in Finland claims that people with lower incomes spend more on this hobby in comparison to middle or upper-income groups. One theory is that a lower income pushes people toward gambling as a potential source of money. However, the study points out that other factors also positively correlate to this problem:

• Lower education 
• Exposure to gambling from a younger age 
• Marital status (single or divorced) 
• Unemployment, 
• Sick leave 
• Retirement on pension for health reasons
• Lack of access to alternative recreational activities
• Targeted marketing by gambling operators

Types of gambling associated with addiction

A big portion of players tend to gravitate towards online betting platforms. The actual numbers vary from country to country, of course, depending on how lax gambling legislation is in each one. Countries like France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands and Finland have seen a lot of growth in their online markets, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic and the online shift. ​

The accessibility and ease of use of online operators are their main selling points. 81% of gamblers worldwide participate through online sportsbooks and casinos. As of March 2023, the participation rate of online gambling remained statistically stable at 26%. This stability means that a significant portion of the European population engages in online betting and casino games. Based on online gambling addiction statistics, slots are especially popular among problematic bettors, as well as sports betting facilitated by online platforms.

Consequences of gambling addiction, treatment and support

This type of addiction leads to serious financial and psychological challenges, with people often facing overdue bills, maxed-out credit cards and foreclosure. What’s more, those who struggle with other addictions are more likely to develop gambling problems. Around 96% of problem gamblers have at least one psychiatric disorder, estimated by Potenza et al. 2019 research. These troubling statistics for gambling addiction further complicate the issue, as it’s a whole web of issues that affect eventual recovery. 

Many decide to self-exclude from the industry, using online registers such as Gamstop. Even then, the decision is not final, since there are a lot of casinos not on Gamstop that can be used to avoid the ban. Further research has shown that only 4% of moderate-risk gamblers and/or people with serious problems actively seek help. There are again factors that account for this behavior and they differ based on gender.

For example, men avoid seeking help as they perceive this type of behaviour to be shameful and out of fear of being stigmatised. Women often deny that they have a problem, or they don’t want to give up on it because they nurture social connections through the hobby.  

Players must be 18 years + to partake in any gambling, betting or casino activity. Players are urged to seek help if they require it. Players play at their own risk.