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Even without the physical triggers so commonly associated with drug addiction, gambling disorders can wreak just as much havoc in a person’s life. The following gambling addiction statistics show how crucial proper care is.
While drug addiction is a substance-based disorder, excessive gambling is a behavioral addiction that has more to do with a lack of impulse control.
Gambling addiction often affects people who also struggle with alcohol abuse.
Gambling addiction statistics show how problem gambling can upend a person’s life in more ways than one. Not unlike other types of addiction, people most susceptible to gambling also suffer from other disorders of which they may or may not be aware.
What Is Gambling Addiction?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) defines gambling addiction as any kind of gambling behavior that causes someone to feel clinically impaired or distressed.
To be diagnosed with this condition, the individual must exhibit at least for of the following symptoms in one year:
- Excessive preoccupation with gambling
- Gambling with increasingly high amounts of money to feel the same “high”
- Feeling restless or irritable after trying to stop gambling
- Repeatedly failing at attempts to control, quit, or cut back on gambling
- Gambling as a way of escaping problems or improving mood
- Repeatedly going back to gamble, even after losing
- Lying about gambling activity to friends, co-workers, and loved ones
- Allowing gambling to jeopardize relationships or workplace performance
- Committing illegal acts (e.g., fraud or forgery) to continue gambling
- Borrowing money from others to support gambling costs
- Exhibiting a gambling problem outside of a manic episode
This addiction has the power to wreck lives, destroy families, and wipe out finances. The most recent gambling addiction statistics reveal the scope of this problem across the United States.
1. Gambling Trends
As with all types of data, certain trends or patterns of behavior start to surface within a given population. Gambling addiction statistics are no different.
Some of the more prevalent gambling trends show:
- 55% of U.S. adults report they participated in gambling in 2024.
- 2.5 million U.S. adults have a severe gambling problem. Another 5 to 8 million have mild or moderate gambling problems.
- 27% of young people have spent their own money on gambling in 2024.
2. Gambling and Criminal Activity
As far as gambling and criminal activity go, gambling addiction statistics reveal a direct correlation between the severity of a gambling addiction and the likelihood of committing crimes.
Rates of gambling addiction for criminal offenders far exceed rates found among non-offenders. On average, an estimated 50% of those affected by gambling problems commit crimes to support their addiction.
3. College Gambling
Gambling addiction statistics show that young people are at risk of developing gambling disorders.
- Around 60 to 80% of U.S. high school students report gambling before the age of 21, which is the legal age in most states.
- Up to 4% of high schoolers have a gambling addiction.
- The risk of developing a gambling addiction is higher in young adults compared to older adults.
- An estimated 6% of American college students struggle with gambling problems.
4. Gambling and PTSD Trends
People affected by post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD live with high levels of stress and anxiety daily.
Gambling addiction statistics show high rates of gambling addiction among PTSD sufferers, likely because the rush of “winning” helps alleviate some of the symptoms they feel. Research indicates that PTSD symptoms affect up to 34% of problem gamblers.
5. Gambling and Mental Illness
Addictions alter brain chemical functions in destructive ways, and people struggling with gambling addiction have a higher likelihood of developing mental health disorders. Research reveals that 96% of people who struggle with gambling addiction also have at least one other psychiatric disorder.
Gambling addiction statistics show a high incidence of certain types of mental illness, some of which include:
- Depression disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Substance use disorders
- Anti-social personality disorder
Find Help for Gambling Addiction
As with any other type of addiction, a gambling addiction can only get worse when left untreated. There are treatment centers around the nation that specialize in addressing this specific kind of addiction, along with co-occurring substance abuse or mental health disorders.
Most centers will use cognitive behavioral therapy and other evidence-based methods to help you adjust the way you view and approach gambling.
In addition, you may talk about your condition in individual and group counseling sessions. You can also call toll-free helplines for support, such as 1-800-GAMBLER, known as the National Problem Gambling Helpline.
Feel free to browse the Addictions.com directory for online listings, or call
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