Gambling Compulsive Addiction Statistics

Gambling Compulsive Addiction According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, around 70% of the American population, about 210 million people, reported gambling in the past year, about 1% of the population, 3 million people, fits the profile of a compulsive gambler.

According to numerous sources, out of the entire population the two groups most at risk to develop a gambling problem are youth and the elderly.

People with gambling problems are also more likely to have other problems such as alcoholism or drug abuse as well. Many sources site that these personalities easily adopt new afflictions in addiction to their compulsive gambling.

Around 66% of the adult population in America plays the lottery (Charles T. Clotfelter and Philip J. Cook, "On the Economics of State Lotteries,"Journal of Economic Perspectives, vol. 4, No. 4, Fall 1990, p. 105.). A large part of this percentage is made up of people with gambling issues.

According to numerous sources, there is a strong link between gambling and suicide. People with gambling problems are likely to bet and lose everything they have--and more. This leads to depression and feelings of total hopelessness for people with gambling problems and makes them feel as if their only way out is through suicide.

In states such as Iowa, where casinos are legal, the rate of bankruptcy can be directly connected to the number of casinos open at any time (Truth About Gambling Foundation, March 20, 1998). This proves that people with gambling compulsive addiction are incapable of stopping their gambling until they literally have lost everything. This also has grave economic effects for states that do allow gambling.

According to the American Insurance Institute almost half of all white-collared crime stems directly from gambling or gambling-related issues. People with gambling problems suffer like any other addict--and will stop at nothing to get their "fix." And overall, gambling statistics prove that compulsive gamblers require the same rehab treatment as a recovering alchoholic or substance abuser and need the proper counseling to overcome their affliction.