Of the world’s biggest gambling nations, which are seeking help for problem gambling the most?
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New data has revealed that Australia is the gambling nation seeking help for problem gambling the most, with 25.907% of problem gamblers seeking help.
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Canada ranks second, with 17.457% seeking help, and UK is third, with 15% seeking help.
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Concluding the top ten is Japan, with 0.140% seeking help.
Press Release from Gina Hartley; New data has revealed that Australia is the biggest gambling nation seeking help for problem gambling the most, with 25.907% of problem gamblers asking for help.
Japanese Online Casino Guide analysed data from a variety of sources from each of the 13 biggest gambling nations, such as the Gambling Commission, Nippon.com, the National Council on Problem Gambling and Made in CA to find the number of problem gamblers in each nation and the percentage that have sought help for their addiction.
- Australia
Not only is Australia one of the biggest gambling nations, but it is also the country seeking help for problem gambling the most, with 25.907% asking for help with problem gambling. Behind the UK, Australia has the third-highest number of gamblers, with 21.1% of the population having taken part in online gambling at some point. In Australia there are extensive support systems and measures in place to assist individuals dealing with problem gambling, such as helplines, online help chats, self-exclusion programs and counselling services.
- Canada
Ranking second is Canada, with 17.457% seeking help for problem gambling. Canada has the highest number of online gamblers of all the countries, with 48.6% of the population projected to have gambled online at least once by the end of 2024. Among the support services available to help individuals in Canada are the national problem gambling helpline, online counselling services, group therapy and debt management services.
- United Kingdom
Problem gamblers in the UK are the third most likely to seek help for problem gambling, with 15.294% asking for help. The UK has the second-highest number of gamblers, with 27.9% of the population having gambled online. A wide range of support services and resources are available to help individuals dealing with problem gambling: gamblers anonymous, family support groups, counseling and online support are just some of the options available.
- United States
The United States ranks fourth in terms of seeking assistance, with 10.000% of individuals seeking help for problem gambling. In 2024, the US is projected to make the most revenue from online gambling, with $23.03 billion. Some of the resources and support systems available to help individuals dealing with problem gambling are chat and text support, state-specific and casino-specific self-exclusion programs, support groups and counselling services.
| The percentage of problem gamblers seeking help | ||
| Rank | Country | % of problem gamblers seeking help |
| 1 | Australia | 25.907 |
| 2 | Canada | 17.457 |
| 3 | UK | 15.294 |
| 4 | USA | 10.000 |
| 5 | Spain | 7.761 |
| 6 | Germany | 5.385 |
| =7 | Singapore | 3.333 |
| =7 | France | 3.333 |
| 8 | Netherlands | 2.389 |
| 9 | Italy | 0.667 |
| 10 | Japan | 0.140 |
| 11 | South Korea | 0.101 |
| 12 | China | 0.001 |
- Spain
Taking the fifth spot is Spain, with 7.761% of problem gamblers seeking help. The country is expected to make $1.97 billion revenue from online gambling in 2024, and online gambling revenue is projected to grow by 11% by the end of 2024. Federación Española de Jugadores de Azar Rehabilitators offers a helpline and online support for problem gamblers. There is also the General Directorate for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) Self-Exclusion which allows individuals to exclude themselves from online gambling platforms and land-based gambling venues.
- Germany
Germany is the sixth highest in requesting aid, with 5.385% seeking help for problem gambling. In 2024, Germany is projected to earn the fifth-highest amount in revenue from online gambling in 2024, with $5.65 billion. 10.4% of the population are projected to have gambled online in 2024, which is the fourteenth-highest percentage. In Germany there are range of services available to support problem gamblers, including the BzGA gambling addiction helpline, counselling and treatment programs and the OASIS self-exclusion program.
- Singapore
In seventh place is Singapore, with 3.333% of problem gamblers looking for help. Despite the availability of various gambling options, the rates of problem gambling in Singapore remain relatively low. As of 2020, the probable pathological gambling rate was 0.2%, while the problem gambling rate was around 1%. This low rate is attributed to strict regulations and robust support systems for gamblers. Singapore offers a range of help, such as a national helpline, web chat services, individual and group counselling programs, and financial planning and budgeting programs.
- France
Seventh place also goes to France, with 3.333% of problem gamblers seeking help. In 2024, $4.12 billion is estimated to be made in revenue from online gambling in France. Amongst its many forms of support for gamblers, France has the Joueurs Info Service, which is a confidential helpline offering supporting, and inpatient and outpatient treatment programs available at specialized addiction treatment centres and hospitals, offering comprehensive care for gambling addiction.
- Netherlands
The Netherlands takes eighth place, with 2.389% of problem gamblers asking for assistance. The gross gaming revenue (GGR) for the online gambling sector in the Netherlands reached €1.39 billion in 2023. The sector has seen robust growth since the regulation of online gambling in 2021. The number of individuals using the self-exclusion program Cruks more than doubled from 30,806 in January 2023 to 60,902 by January 2024. This program aims to help individuals manage problem gambling behaviours.
- Italy
Italy is in ninth place, with 0.667% of problem gamblers looking for help. In 2024, Italy is projected to make $3.21 billion from its online gambling market. Italy is towards the lower end of the ranking for estimated 2024 year-over-year percentage growth in online gambling revenue, with a 10.1% increase. GiocaResponsabile is one of Italy’s ways of accessing support online for families and problem gamblers, and the non-profit organisations Aleaa Onlus and Centro Nazionale Trattamento Gioco D’azzardo Patologico offer treatment and support.
- Japan
Concluding the top ten is Japan, with 0.140% of problem gamblers seeking aid. Japan is projected to generate $6.19 billion in revenue from online gambling in 2024, which is the fourth highest generated by a nation. It is projected that 7.9% of the Japanese population will have gambled online by 2024, and that there will be 11.3 million individuals taking part in online gambling by 2028. There are a variety of forms of support for problem gamblers including the non-profit organisation Recovery Support Network (RSN), which provides counseling, support groups, and educational programs for problem gamblers and their families.
Emiko Matsuda, Editor-in-Chief of Statista, Japanese Online Casino Guide, commented on the findings:
“The surge in online gambling can be attributed to a variety of factors such as the pandemic, which meant many bettors transitioned from wagering on sports to online gambling, and the data suggests that this shift is permanent.
“Online gambling is prohibited in Japan, yet the data shows that online gambling is pervasive in Japanese society despite the law.
“The Act on the Development of Specified Integrated Resort Districts was passed in 2018, which aims to authorize the establishment of gambling facilities within specified zones across the nation. The first legal casino is due to open in 2029 in Osaka. However, a 2021 study, commissioned by the Osaka Prefectural Government, showed that 2.2% of the total population were grappling with gambling addiction, suggesting that gambling is already a popular pastime for many despite the law.
“Japan offers a national helpline for gambling addiction, which provides confidential counseling and support. The helpline is accessible in multiple languages. There are also various specialized treatment centers and hospitals across Japan that offer treatment programs for gambling addiction. These programs often include counseling, psychotherapy, and support groups.”
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