Report Reveals Spain’s Amazing 0.3% Problem Gambling Stat

For most online gambling fans, it is an entertaining and sometimes rewarding hobby which can be enjoyed whether sitting at home or thanks to mobile casino innovation while travelling.

Thanks to the great work done by software developers such as Evolution Gaming and NetEnt Live, online casinos are now able to offer a rich social experience. Simply load up your favourite live dealer games and enjoy spending time with the croupier and your fellow players while putting your luck to the test.

We cannot however ignore the fact there is a small but important percentage of the community who face the hardships associated with compulsive gambling and gambling addiction.

The fact that this is an ongoing battle faced by families, safe gambling organisations and online gambling operators is what makes it important to celebrate success in this arena when we see it.

 Spain Beats Down Problem Gambling

Spain’s well regarded University Carlos III of Madrid (UC3M) released a research paper which revealed that problem gambling in the country is a minuscule 0.3%.

Professor José Antonio Gómez Yáñez of UC3M said:

“Gambling is subject to much debate, like many productive activities, which emphasises the need for this type of study which provides an objective view, based on data, for public opinion, administrations and the media. It is about offering real and updated data on gambling as part of the habits of Spanish society.”

Most intriguing of all is the fact that this was not achieved by taking a puritanical stance on the pastime as the report notes that nearly than 85% of the population engages in some form of gambling activity, with the national lottery being the most favoured game of all.

The country has a very mature view of gambling, seeing the cost of wagering along the lines of paying for a movie ticket or some other form of entertainment. As such it is budgeted for and enjoyed as entertainment, not as a form of income generation.

 How Does the World Stack Up?

Spain’s amazing low-levels of problem gambling really shine when you put them up against other major markets across the world.

Looking at the collated data on gambling addiction, problem gambling percentages and countries showing large losses per player the major territories stack up as follows:

• Asia and Asia Minor – up to 5.8% qualify as problem gamblers
• United States – up to 5% qualify as problem gamblers
• Europe (UK inclusive) – up to 3.4% are problem gamblers
• Oceania – up to 0.7% qualify as problem gamblers

 One of the key differentiators in most of the above markets is their increasing reliance on casino games and the ability to place high stakes sports wagers. Where in Spain draw-style games are the most popular with several local lotteries being the nations primary form of gambling.

What are the Signs of Problem Gambling?

The American Psychiatric Association has developed a checklist of nine warning signs. To qualify as suffering from a gambling disorder a player needs to only exhibit four of these symptoms within a one year period:

1. Need to gamble with an increasing amount of money to achieve the desired excitement
2. Restless or irritable when trying to cut down or stop gambling
3. Repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back on or stop gambling
4. Frequent thoughts about gambling (such as reliving past gambling experiences, planning the next gambling venture, thinking of ways to get money to gamble)
5. Often gambling when feeling distressed
6. After losing money gambling, often returning to get even (referred to as “chasing” one’s losses)
7. Lying to conceal gambling activity
8. Jeopardizing or losing a significant relationship, job or educational/career opportunity because of gambling
9. Relying on others to help with money problems caused by gambling

If someone you know is a regular gambler and begins to exhibit early warning signs of addiction, please encourage them to speak to a trained counsellor. There have never been more safe gambling centres available to assist gamblers and their loved ones than there are today.