New study
Men more prone to gambling addiction than women
Men are still more at risk of addiction when it comes to gambling, but the proportion of women is increasing. photo
© Sebastian Gollnow/dpa
Gambling can make you rich – or poor. But also addictive. A new study shows that gambling behavior and addiction problems have changed little. However, one thing stands out clearly.
According to a new study, addiction risks in gambling are particularly dangerous Men – but the proportion of women affected is increasing. The proportion of men with a so-called “gambling-related disorder” was 3.2 percent last year and that of women was 1.4 percent, according to the 2023 Gambling Survey.
In 2021, a figure of 3.5 percent was determined for men, while women had a share of 1.1 percent. The representative study by the Institute for Interdisciplinary Addiction and Drug Research (ISD) in Hamburg and the University of Bremen was funded by the German Lotto and Totoblock.
Overall, however, gambling behavior and addiction in Germany remained largely constant compared to the 2021 survey, as the Lotto Niedersachsen company, which is currently in charge of the lottery and pool block, announced.
Accordingly, the proportion of people between the ages of 18 and 70 with a disorder was 2.4 percent of the population – after 2.3 percent three years ago. According to the study, the proportion of those with a mild disorder was 1.0 (2021: 1.1) percent, those with a moderate and a severe disorder were 0.7 percent each – here it was 0.7 percent and 0.5 three years ago Percent. However, risky gambling behavior cannot be ruled out for at least 6.1 percent of those surveyed.
“Gambling rarely makes you happy”
Signs of a disorder – or addiction – include hiding gambling, experiencing withdrawal symptoms, gambling more to make up for losses, or continuing to gamble despite negative consequences – even losing a job.
For the study, a total of 12,308 people aged 16 to 70 were surveyed by telephone or online between August 1st and October 16th, 2023. There was also criticism of the previous survey – the data basis did not allow any representative conclusions to be drawn about the entire population.
According to the study, the proportion of people with a disorder was highest among 18 to 25 year olds – it was 4.9 percent. Among 26 to 35 year olds it was 3.8 percent, while among 56 to 70 year olds it was only 0.8 percent. For the first time, the stress in the social environment of people with gambling problems was examined – according to this, more than a fifth (21.9 percent) of affected relatives or friends reported reduced performance. 26 percent suffer from sleep problems, and high blood pressure, headaches and depression also occur due to stress.
“Gambling disorders not only represent a significant restriction on the lifestyle and quality of life for those affected,” emphasized ISD expert Sven Buth. “The social environment itself is often exposed to considerable financial, social and health burdens that are associated with the illness of the person close to them.”
The classic number lottery is the most popular
According to the figures, from the fourth quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 2023, a total of 36.5 percent of the population took part in at least one game of chance for money – two years ago it was 29.7 percent of those surveyed. The classic number lottery “6 out of 49” remained the most popular – on average one in five people (19.8 percent) took part in it at least once. This was followed by the Eurojackpot with a share of 13.0 percent, the scratch cards with 7.6 percent and the social lottery “Aktion Mensch” (7.3 percent). At least 6.9 percent chose risky forms of gambling – according to the information, these include slot machines, casino games or sports betting.
“Gambling rarely makes its participants happy,” said Federal Drug Commissioner Burkhard Blienert last November at the presentation of the “Gambling Atlas”. Accordingly, there are around 1.3 million people in Germany whose life revolves almost exclusively around gaming. According to the “Gambling Atlas”, another 3.3 million people exhibit risky gambling behavior with the first signs of addiction.
Based on the study results, “measures to protect players and young people can be evaluated and, if necessary, improved,” announced ISD project manager Jens Kalke. According to the annual report from the state gaming supervisory authorities, the gross gaming revenue of the German gaming market in 2022 was around 13.3 billion euros – the black market’s share of this was 815 million euros.