• National Statistics On Gambling

World gambling statistics show that around 26% of the population gamble. That means around 1.6 billion people worldwide gamble and 4.2 billion gamble at least once every year. When it comes to. The Growth of the Gaming Industry. According to Newzoo's Global Games Market Report, Gamers will spend about $137.9 billion this past year on games.They are expected to spend about $151.9 billion in 2019. If you look at previous years' gaming revenue, you will notice a trend.

This edition of Australian Gambling Statistics contains 2017–2018 gambling statistics for all Australian states and territories.

To see how Victoria compares with the rest of Australia on gambling expenditure, see Gambling in Victoria on the Foundation's website.

This comprehensive set of data covers the entire range of legalised Australian gambling products such as pokies, casino, race betting, sports betting and lotteries. It provides a wide range of gambling data, including total turnover, total expenditure, per adult turnover, per adult expenditure, percentage change in turnover and expenditure each year, market share of each gambling product and government revenue collected from gambling taxes.

Notable findings were:

• total gambling expenditure in Australia increased from $23.694 billion in 2016–2017 to $24.887 billion in 2017–2018 (a 5.0 per cent increase)
• per adult gambling expenditure in Australia increased from $1,251.39 to $1,292.25 (a 3.3 per cent increase)
• total electronic gaming machine expenditure in Australia increased from $12.136 billion to $12.520 billion (a 3.2 per cent increase)
• total casino expenditure in Australia increased from $4.790 billion to $5.101 billion (a 6.5 per cent increase)
• total race betting expenditure in Australia increased from $3.313 billion to $3.547 billion (a 7.1 per cent increase)
• total sports betting expenditure in Australia increased from $1.062 billion to $1.235 billion (a 16.3 per cent increase).

For more information, see the 35th edition of the Australian Gambling Statistics on the Queensland Government Statistician's Office website.

Last updated: 08/5/2019
Author: Addictions.com Medical Review

Reading Time: 3minutes

Even without the physical triggers so commonly associated with drug addiction, gambling disorders can wreak just as much havoc in a person’s life. While drug addiction works as a substance-based disorder, gambling addictions have more to do with a lack of impulse control.

Gambling addiction often affects people who also struggle with alcohol abuse.

Ultimately, it’s the loss of control that defines addictive behavior regardless of the substance or activity involved. Gambling addiction statistics present this “loss of control” factor in a stark and alarming light.

Gambling addiction statistics show how problem gambling can up-end 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.

Probably the most glaring revelation to be had from gambling addiction statistics lies in the consequences that result when gambling disorders go untreated.

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:

• The likelihood of developing a gambling addiction increases 23-fold for people affected by alcohol use disorders
• Over 80 percent of American adults gamble on a yearly basis
• Three to five gamblers out of every hundred struggles with a gambling problem
• As many as 750,000 young people, ages 14 to 21 have a gambling addiction

2. Gambling & Criminal Activity

As far as gambling and criminal activity goes, 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 percent of those affected by gambling problems commit crimes in order to support their addiction.

3. College Gambling

Gambling addiction statistics show people between the ages 20 and 30 have the highest rates of problem gambling.

• 75 percent of college students report having gambled during the past year
• The risk of developing a gambling addiction more than doubles for young adults in college settings
• An estimated six percent of American college students struggle with gambling problems

4. Gambling & PTSD Trends

People affected by post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD live with high levels of stress and anxiety on a daily basis. Gambling addiction statistics show high rates of gambling addiction among PTSD sufferers.

• PTSD symptoms affect anywhere from 12.5 to 29 percent of problem gamblers
• 34 percent of those who seek treatment for gambling addiction exhibit symptoms of PTSD

5. Gambling & Mental Illness

As addictions, in general, alter brain chemical functions in destructive ways, people struggling with gambling addiction have a higher likelihood of developing mental disorders. Gambling addiction statistics show a high incidence of certain types of mental illness, some of which include:

• Depression disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Substance abuse disorders
• Anti-social personality disorder

National Statistics On Gambling

As with any other type of addiction, a gambling addiction can only get worse when left untreated.