Who Gambles and Why?
"It is clear that pathological and problem gamblers are found in every demographic group, from college students to the elderly, housewives to professionals, solid citizens to prison inmates….One of the most troubling aspects of problem and pathological gambling is its prevalence among youth and adolescents." National Gambling Impact Study
Who gambles? Youth.
According to several studies summarized in Youth Gambling International i gambling is the most popular high-risk activity among teenagers, involving 80% of teens.
How about these odds?
Between 4% and 6% of teens may be considered probable pathological gamblers and an addition 10% - 15% considered at-risk of developing a gambling problem.
In 1999, the National Gambling Impact Commission Study report indicated that there were 7.9 million American adolescent problem and pathological gamblers. (5.7 million problem gamblers and 2.2 million pathological gamblers.) ii
The Delaware Council on Gambling Addictions annually surveys a representative sample of youth in the state of Delaware (more than 11,600 youth in 2002), by adding gambling questions to their statewide annual survey "Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Abuse among Delaware Students". The 2002 results are presented within this document. Delaware Gambling Powerpoint Summary
In 2002:
Delaware 8th graders:
- 49% of eighth graders had gambled; 12% of eighth graders had gambled within the past month.
- There was no significant difference in race of students who did / did not gamble.
- More boys gambled than did girls.
Delaware 11th graders:
- 44% of eleventh graders had gambled; 9% of eleventh graders had gambled within the past month.
- There was no significant difference in race of students who did / did not gamble.
- More boys gambled than did girls.
Why do youth gamble?
According to research and clinical findings reported by Youth Gambling International, money is not the main reason that adolescents gamble. They gamble for
1. The excitement it brings,
2. the enjoyment it gives, and then
3. the money they win.
Through gambling, adolescents exhibit a number of "dissociative" behaviors - escaping into another world with altered egos where gambling is all that matters and all other problems disappear. (adapted from Youth Gambling International; noted on January 15, 2004). iii
Who gambles? Adults.
(Adult Social Gambling and other Problem / Pathological Gambling)
It is estimated that more than 125 million adult Americans gamble and that most of these do so without developing gambling related problems. However, an estimated 7.9 million adults are either problem or pathological gamblers.
For information on each state check http://www.naspl.org
i Youth Gambling International: Prevention. Copyright 2003. http://youthgambling.mcgill.ca/en/Prevention/Prevention.htm
ii Problem and Pathological Gambling. National Gambling Impact Study Commission Report. 1999. http://www.youthgambling.com/
iii Problem and Pathological Gambling. National Gambling Impact Study Commission Report. 1999.
