Table 1.
Overview of adult gambling prevalence surveys across the world
| Country | Study | Measure | Sample characteristics | Response rate | Gambling prevalence | Problem gambling prevalence | Legal age to gamble | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America | Canada | Cox, Yu, Afifi, and Ladouceur (2005) | PGSI | National, 34,770 people aged 15 and over recruited by face-to-face and telephone interview | 77% | Not reported | PGSI: Problem gambling (3+): 2% (past-year prevalence) | 18 years for Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, and 19 years for other states |
| USA | Welte, Barnes, Wieczorek, Tidwell, and Parker (2002) | Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) | National, 2,630 adults aged 18 and over recruited by telephone interview | 65.4% | 82.2% (past-year) | DIS: Problem gambling (3+): 3.5% (past-year prevalence) | From 12 to 21 years depending on states and gambling activities | |
| Welte, Barnes, Tidwell, Hoffman, and Wieczorek (2015) | DIS-IV and SOGS | National, 2,963 adults aged 18 and over recruited by telephone interview (landline and cell phone) | Landline: 54.0%; cell phone: 62.7% | 76.9% (past-year) | DIS-IV: Problem gambling (3+): 4.6% SOGS: Problem gambling (3+): 5% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| South America | Brazil | Tavares et al. (2010) | NODS | 3,007 participants aged 14 and over recruited by face-to-face interview | 66.4% | Not reported | NODS and DSM-IV-J: Problem gambling (1–4): 1.3%; pathological gambling (5+): 1%; combined rate: 2.3% (lifetime prevalence) | 18 years |
| Asia | South Korea | Park et al. (2010) | DIS | 6,510 aged 18–64, although only 5,333 adults fully completed the Korean DIS for pathological gambling, recruited by face-to-face interview | 81.7% | Not reported | DIS: Problem gambling (1–4): 3%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.8%; combined rate: 3.8% (lifetime prevalence) | 20 years |
| Williams, Lee, and Back (2013) | PGSI | 4,000 phone interviews aged 19 years and over supplemented by an online survey of 4,330 members | Cell phone: 17%; online panel: 20.2% | 41.8% (past-year) | PGSI: Problem gambling (5+): 0.5% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| Singapore | MCYS (2005)a | DSM-IV | 2,004 adults aged 18 and over recruited by face-to-face interviews | 90% | 58% (past-year) | DSM-IV: Problem gambling (3–4): 2%; pathological gambling (5+): 2.1%; combined rate: 4.1% (past-year prevalence) | 21 years (casino gambling and 18 years for other gambling products) | |
| MCYS (2008)a | DSM-IV | 2,300 aged 18 and over recruited by face-to-face interviews | 89% | 54% (past-year) | DSM-IV: Problem gambling (3–4): 1.2%; pathological gambling (5+): 1.7%; combined rate: 2.9% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| National Council on Problem Gambling (2012)a | DSM-IV | 3,315 people aged 18 and over recruited by face-to-face interviews | 81% | 47% (past-year) | DSM-IV: Problem gambling (3–4): 1.2%; pathological gambling (5+): 1.4%; combined rate: 2.6% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| National Council on Problem Gambling (2015)a | DSM-IV | 3,000 adults aged 18 and over recruited by face-to-face interviews | 73% | 44% (past-year) | DSM-IV: Problem gambling (3–4): 0.5%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.2%; combined rate: 0.7% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| Hong Kong | Wong and So (2003) | DSM-IV (modified Chinese version) | 2,004 adults aged 15–64 recruited by telephone interviews | 57.4% | Not reported | DSM-IV: Problem gambling (3–4): 4%; pathological gambling (5+): 1.8%; combined rate: 5.8% (past-year prevalence) | 18 years | |
| Social Sciences Research Centre (2005)a | DSM-IV (modified Chinese version) | 2,093 people aged 15–64 recruited by telephone interviews | 74.7% | 81.1% (past-year) | DSM-IV: Problem gambling (3–4): 3.1%; pathological gambling (5+): 2.2%; combined rate: 5.3% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| Wan et al. (2012)a | DSM-IV | 2,024 people aged 15–64 recruited by telephone interviews | 48.3% | 62% (past-year) | DSM-IV: Problem gambling (3–4): 1.9%; pathological gambling (5+): 1.4%; combined rate: 3.3% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| Macau | Fong & Ozorio (2005) | DSM-IV (modified Chinese version) | 1,121 people aged 15–64 recruited by telephone interviews | 68% | 67.9% (past-year) | DSM-IV: Problem gambling (3–4): 2.5%; pathological gambling (5+): 1.78%; combined rate: 4.3% (past-year prevalence) | 18 years (casinos for visitors) and 21 (casinos for locals) | |
| Oceania | Australia | Gainsbury et al. (2014) | PGSI | National, 15,006 adults aged 18 and over recruited by telephone interviews | 26.4% | 64% (past-year) | PGSI: Problem gambling (8+): 0.6% (past-year prevalence) | 18 years for most of the gambling activities and 16 years for lotteries in some states |
| Dowling et al. (2015) | PGSI | National, 2,000 participants aged 18 and over recruited by telephone interview (landline and mobile phone) | 19.5% (21.7% landline; 17.8% mobile) | 63.9% (past-year) | PGSI: Problem gambling (8+): 0.4% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| New Zealand | Abbott et al. (2004) | SOGS-R | 6,452 adults aged 18 and over interviewed by telephone | 75% | 86% (past 6 months) | SOGS-R: Problem gambling (3–4): 0.8%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.5%; combined rate: 1.3% (past 6 months prevalence) | 20 years for casino gambling and 18 years for other gambling activities | |
| Problem gambling (3–4): 1.9%; pathological gambling (5+):1%; combined rate: 2.9% (lifetime prevalence) | ||||||||
| Ministry of Health (2009)a | PGSI | 12,488 adults aged 15 years and over interviewed face-to-face | 68% | 65.3% (past-year) | PGSI: Problem gambling (8+): 0.4% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| Health Sponsorship Council (2010)a | PGSI | 1,740 adults aged 15 and over interviewed face-to-face | Not reported | 80.7% (past-year) | PGSI: Problem gambling (8+): 0.7% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| Africa | South Africa | Collins and Barr (2001)a | Gamblers Anonymous 20 (GA20) and SOGS | 5,800 people aged 18 and over interviewed face-to-face | Not reported | Not reported | GA20 (7+): 3.8% (lifetime prevalence) SOGS (5+): 4.8% (past-year prevalence) | 18 years |
| Collins and Barr (2003)a | GA20 | National, 5,816 South Africans aged 18 and over interviewed face-to-face | Not reported | Not reported | GA20 (7+): Problem gambling: 4.6% (lifetime prevalence) | |||
| Collins and Barr (2006)a | GA20 | National, 3,003 aged 18 and over interviewed face-to-face | Not reported | Not reported | GA20 (7+): Problem gambling: 4.8% (lifetime prevalence) | |||
| Kincaid et al. (2013) | PGSI | National, 3,000 urban adults aged 18 and over interviewed face-to-face | Not reported | Not reported | PGSI: Problem gambling (8+): 3.2% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| Europe | Austria | Kalke et al. (2011)a | DSM-IV | National, 6,300 people aged 14–65 | Not reported | 42% (past-year) | DSM-IV: Problem gambling: 0.4%; pathological gambling: 0.7%; combined rate: 1.1% (past-year prevalence) | It varies from 14 to 18 years depending on regions and gambling activities |
| Belgium | Druine et al. (2006) | DSM-IV | National, 3,002 people aged 16–99 interviewed by telephone | b | 60% (past-year) | DSM-IV: Problem gambling (3–4): 1.6%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.4%; combined rate: 2% (past-year prevalence) | 18 years for lotteries, betting shops, and bingo, 21 for entering casinos and gaming arcades | |
| Cyprus | Çakici (2012) | Turkish form of SOGS | 929 people living in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus interviewed face-to-face | Not reported | 55% (lifetime) | SOGS: Problem gambling (8+): 2.2% (lifetime prevalence) | 18 years | |
| Czech Republic | Mravčík et al. (2014) | PGSI and Lie/Bet | National, 2,134 people aged 15–64 | c | 25.5% (past-year) | PGSI: Problem gambling (3+): 2.3% (past-year prevalence) | 18 years | |
| Denmark | Bonke and Borregaard (2006) | SOGS-R and NODS | National, 8,153 adults aged 18–74 interviewed mostly by telephone. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with people who could not be contacted by telephone | 70% | 77% (past-year) | NODS: Problem gambling (3–4): 0.4%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.3%; combined rate: 0.7% (lifetime prevalence) Problem gambling (3–4): 0.3%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.1%; combined rate: 0.4% (past-year prevalence) | 18 years for gambling in casinos and slot machines and 16 years for other activities | |
| SOGS-R: Problem gambling (3–4): 1.2%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.5%; combined rate: 1.7% (lifetime prevalence) | ||||||||
| Problem gambling (3–4): 0.8%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.2%; combined rate:1.0% (past-year prevalence) | ||||||||
| Denmark | Ekholm et al. (2012) | Lie/Bet | National, 5,686 adults aged 16 and over interviewed face-to-face and following the interview completed a self-administered questionnaire | 52.1% | Not reported | Lie/Bet: Problem gambling (1+): 0.9% (past-year prevalence); 2.6% (lifetime prevalence) | 18 years for gambling in casinos and slot machines and 16 years for other activities | |
| Ekholm et al. (2012) | Lie/Bet | 14,670 adults aged 16 or above interviewed face-to-face and following the interview completed a self-administered questionnaire | 62.7% | Not reported | Lie/Bet: Problem gambling (1+): 0.8% (past-year prevalence); 2% (lifetime prevalence) | |||
| Estonia | Faktum Uuringukeskus (2004) | SOGS | National, 986 people aged 15–74 | d | 61% (lifetime) | SOGS: Problem gambling (3–4): 2.6%; pathological gambling (5+): 2.4%; combined rate: 5% (lifetime prevalence) | 16 years for lottery and 21 for other gambling activities | |
| Laansoo and Niit (2009) | SOGS | National, 2,005 people aged 15–74 who completed a self-administered questionnaire | d | 75% (lifetime) | SOGS: Problem gambling (3–4): 3.1%; pathological gambling (5+): 3.4%; combined rate: 6.5% (lifetime prevalence) | |||
| Finland | Ilkas and Turja (2003) | SOGS | National, 5,013 people aged 15–74 interviewed by telephone | Not reported | 74% (past-year) | SOGS: Problem gambling (3–4): 4%; pathological gambling (5+): 1.5%; combined rate: 5.5% (lifetime prevalence) | 18 years | |
| Aho and Turja (2007) | SOGS | National, 5,008 Finnish aged 15 and over interviewed by telephone | 48% | 73% (past-year) | SOGS: Problem gambling (3–4): 2.1%; pathological gambling (5+): 1%; combined rate: 3.1% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| Problem gambling (3–4): 3.6%; pathological gambling (5+): 1.6%; 5.2% combined rate (lifetime prevalence) | ||||||||
| Finland | Castrén et al. (2013) | PGSI | National, 2,826 Finnish aged 15–64 recruited by postal survey | 56.5% (calculation derived from data in the report) | Not reported | PGSI: Problem gambling (8+): 1.1% (past-year prevalence) | ||
| Raisamo et al. (2014) | PGSI | National, 4,484 people aged 15–74 interviewed by telephone | 40% | 78% (past-year) | PGSI: Problem gambling (8+): 0.6% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| France | Costes et al. (2011) | PGSI | National, 25,034 aged 18–75 interviewed by telephone | 60% | 47.8% (past-year) | PGSI: Problem gambling (8+): 0.4% (past-year prevalence) | 18 years | |
| Costes et al. (2015) | PGSI | National, 15,635 aged 15–75 interviewed by telephone | Not reported | 56.2% (past-year) | PGSI: Problem gambling (8+): 0.5% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| Germany | Buth and Stover (2008) | DSM-IV | National, 7,980 aged 18–65 recruited by telephone interview and online survey | Computer-based telephone survey: 55.8%; online survey: 68% | 39.2% (past-year) | DSM-IV: Problem gambling (3–4): 0.64%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.56%; combined rate: 1.2% (past-year prevalence) | 18 years | |
| Bühringer et al. (2007) | DSM-IV | National, 7,817 people aged 18–64 recruited by self-administered email survey supplemented with telephone interviews | 48% | 71.5% (lifetime) | DSM-IV: Problem gambling (3–4): 0.29%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.2%; combined rate: 0.5% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) (2008) | SOGS | National, 10,001 aged people 16–65 interviewed by telephone | 63.3% | Not reported | SOGS: Problem gambling (3–4): 0.41%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.19%; combined rate: 0.6% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| Sassen et al. (2011) | DSM-IV | National, 8,006 adults aged 18 -64 recruited by postal questionnaires (46%), telephone interviews (42%) and online (12%) | 50.1% | 48% (past-year) | DSM-IV: Sub-threshold for pathological gambling (1–4): 1.1%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.3%; (past-year prevalence) | |||
| Meyer et al. (2015) | DSM-IV | National, 15,023 individuals aged 14–64 years recruited by telephone interviews (landline and mobile phone) | Landline telephone: 44.5%; mobile telephone: 36.8% | Not reported | DSM-IV: Sub-threshold for gambling problems (1–4): 1.7%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.3% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| Great Britain | Orford et al. (2003) | SOGS and DSM-IV | National, 7,680 aged 16 and over recruited by face-to-face interviews | 65% | 72% (past-year) | SOGS: Problem gambling (5+): 0.8%; (past-year prevalence) DSM-IV: Problem gambling (3–4): 0.4%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.2%; combined rate: 0.6% (past-year prevalence) | 16 years for lottery and bingo, 18 years for other gambling activities | |
| Orford et al. (2010) | PGSI and DSM-IV | National, 9,003 people aged 16 and over recruited by face-to-face interviews, or by an online questionnaire, that was also available | 52% | 68% (past-year) | PGSI: Problem gambling (8+): 0.5% (past-year prevalence) DSM-IV: 0.3% (3–4); 0.3% (5+); combined rate: 0.6% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| Wardle et al. (2012) | PGSI and DSM-IV | National, 7,756 people aged 16 and over recruited by computing- assisting interviewing, supplemented by telephone interview for those who refused to participate | 47% | 73% (past-year) | PGSI: Problem gambling (8+): 0.7% (past-year prevalence)DSM-IV: Problem gambling (3–4): 0.5%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.4%; combined rate: 0.9% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| Great Britain | APMS survey (Wardle et al., 2009)a | DSM-IV | National, 7403 adults aged 16 and over recruited by face-to-face interviews | 99.2% (calculation derived from some data in the report) | 65.9% (past-year) | DSM-IV: Problem gambling (3–4): 0.7%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.3%; combined rate: 1% (past-year prevalence) | 16 years for lottery and bingo, 18 years for other gambling activities | |
| Combined data from the Health Survey for England and Scottish Health Survey (Seabury & Wardle, 2014)a | DSM-IV and PGSI | 11,774 English and Scottish adults aged 16 and over recruited by face-to-face interviews | England: 56% (individual response rate); Scotland: 56% (individual response rate) | 65% (past-year) | DSM-IV: Problem gambling (3+): 0.5% PGSI: Problem gambling (8+): 0.4% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| Hungary | Kun et al. (2012) | SOGS | National, 2,710 people aged 18–64 recruited by face-to-face interviews and a self-administered questionnaire | 85.1% | 65.3% (lifetime) | SOGS: 1.9% (3–4); 1.4% (5+); combined rate: 3.3% (lifetime prevalence) | 18 years | |
| Iceland | IMG-Gallup (2000); Jonsson, (2006) | NODS | National, 1,500 people aged 16–75 recruited by telephone interview | 70.5% | Not reported | NODS: Problem gambling (3–4): 0.7%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.6%; combined rate: 1.3% (lifetime prevalence) | 18 years for most gambling products | |
| Olason and Gretarsson (2009) | Diagnostic Interview for Gambling Severity (DIGS) and PGSI | National, 3,358 adults aged 18–70 recruited by telephone interview | 69.8% | 69% (past-year) | PGSI: Problem gambling (8+): 0.5% DIGS: Problem gambling (3–4): 0.5%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.6%; combined rate: 1.6% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| Olason et al. (2015) | PGSI | National, 1,887 adults aged 18–70 recruited by telephone interview | 61.8% | 76% (past-year) | PGSI: Problem gambling (8+): 0.8% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| Italy | Bastiani et al. (2011) | CPGI-short form | National, 31,984 people aged 15–64 recruited by anonymous postal questionnaire | 35% | 42.1% (past-year) | CPGI: Problem gambling (3+): 2.2% (past-year prevalence) | 18 years | |
| Barbaranelli (2010) | SOGS and PGSI | National, 2,000 aged 18–74 recruited by self-administered questionnaire | Not reported | Not reported | Combined rate for SOGS and PGSI: 1.27% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| The Netherlands | De Bruin et al. (2006) | SOGS | National, 5,575 people aged 16 and over recruited predominantly by telephone interview. Participants could also complete an online questionnaire | 25% | Not reported | SOGS: Problem gambling (3–4): 1.5%; pathological (5+): 1%; combined rate: 2.5% (lifetime prevalence) Problem gambling (3–4): 0.6%; pathological (5+): 0.3%; combined rate: 0.9% (past-year prevalence) | 18 years | |
| Bieleman et al. (2011); Goudriann (2014) | SOGS | National, almost 6000 participants (no more information is provided) | 28% | Not reported | SOGS: Problem gambling (3–4): 0.68%; pathological (5+): 0.15%; combined rate: 0.8% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| Northern Ireland | Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (2010)a | PGSI | 1,032 adults aged 16 and over recruited by face-to-face residential interviews, although PGSI was completed privately | 57% | 75.3% (past-year) | PGSI: Problem gambling (8+): 2.2% (past-year prevalence) | 18 years | |
| Norway | Gotestam and Johansson (2003) | DSM-IV | National, 2,014 adults aged 18 and over recruited by telephone interview | 47.8% | 68.2% (lifetime) | DSM-IV: Problem gambling (3–4): 0.45%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.15%; combined rate: 0.6% (no specific time frame is provided) | 18 years | |
| Lund and Nordlund (2003); Jonsson (2006) | SOGS and NODS | National, 5,235 adults aged 15–74 recruited by telephone interview or postal enquiries if the person was not reachable by phone | 54.9% | 80.6% (past-year) | NODS: Problem gambling (3–4): 0.4%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.3%; combined rate: 0.7% (past-year prevalence) Problem gambling (3–4): 0.8%; pathological (5+): 0.6%; combined rate: 1.4% (lifetime prevalence) | |||
| SOGS: Problem gambling (3–4): 0.4%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.2%; combined rate: 0.6% (past-year prevalence) | ||||||||
| Problem gambling (3–4): 0.7%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.3%; combined rate: 1% (lifetime prevalence) | ||||||||
| Bakken et al. (2009) | NODS | National, 3,482 people aged 16–74 recruited by self-administered email surveys | 36.1% | 67.9% (past-year) | NODS: Problem gambling (3–4): 0.4%; (5+): 0.3%; combined rate: 0.7% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| Problem gambling (3–4): 1%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.7%; combined rate: 1.7% (lifetime prevalence) | ||||||||
| Portugal | Lopes (2009)a | SOGS | National, 3,850 people aged 18–70 recruited by telephone interview | 51.3% (calculation derived from data in the report) | Not reported | SOGS: Problem gambling (5+): 0.2% (past-year prevalence) | 18 years | |
| Slovenia | Makarovič et al. (2008); Makarovič (2010) | SOGS | National, 10,001 people (no specific information about age is provided) | Not reported | 35.5% (past-year) | SOGS: Problem gambling (3–4): 1.45%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.46%; 1.9% combined rate (no specific time frame is provided) | 18 years | |
| Spain | Becona (2004) | NODS | Galicia region, 1,624 adults aged 18 and over recruited by face-to-face residential interviews | Not reported | Not reported | NODS: Problem gambling (3–4): 0.25%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.31%; 0.56% combined rate (past-year prevalence) | 18 years | |
| Problem gambling (3–4): 0.18%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.92%; 1.1% combined rate (lifetime prevalence) | ||||||||
| Sweden | Volberg et al. (2001) | SOGS-R | National, 7,139 people aged 15–74 recruited mainly by phone interview (89%) and by email (11%) | 72% | 95% (lifetime) | SOGS: Problem gambling (3–4): 2.7%; pathological gambling (5+): 1.2%; combined rate: 3.9% (lifetime prevalence) | 18 years | |
| Problem gambling (3–4): 1.4%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.6%; combined rate: 2% (past-year prevalence) | ||||||||
| Abbott et al. (2014) | PGSI and SOGS | National, 8,165 people aged 16–84 recruited by phone interview, supplemented by email for those who could not be contacted by phone | 55% | 72% (past-year) | PGSI: Problem gambling (8+): 0.3% (past-year prevalence) SOGS: Problem gambling (3–4): 2.5%; pathological gambling (5+): 2%; combined rate: 4.5% (lifetime prevalence) | |||
| Problem gambling (3–4): 1.3%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.9%; combined rate: 2.2% (past-year prevalence) | ||||||||
| Switzerland | Bondolfi et al. (2000) | SOGS | National, 2,526 people aged 18 and over recruited by telephone interview | 59% | Not reported | SOGS: Problem gambling (3–4): 2.2%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.8%; combined rate: 3% (past-year prevalence) | 18 years | |
| Zangerl et al. (2007)a | SOGS | German and French speaking part of Switzerland, 1,000 people aged 15–74 years recruited by telephone interview | Not reported | 74.4% (lifetime) | SOGS: Problem gambling (3–4): 1.8%; pathological gambling (5+): 1.6%; combined rate: 3.4% (past-year prevalence) | |||
| Bondolfi et al. (2008) | SOGS | National, 2,803 people aged 18 and over recruited by telephone interview | 47% | Not reported | SOGS: Problem gambling (3–4): 2.2%; pathological gambling (5+): 1.1%; combined rate: 3.3% (lifetime prevalence) | |||
| Problem gambling (3–4): 0.8%; pathological gambling (5+): 0.5%; combined rate: 1.3% (past-year prevalence) | ||||||||
| Brodbeck et al. (2009) | NODS | 6,047 people aged 18 and over in German and Italian speaking part of Switzerland, recruited by telephone interview | 52.2% | 35% (past-month) | NODS: Problem gambling (3–4): 0.5%; pathological gambling (+5): 0.3%; combined rate: 0.8% (lifetime prevalence) | |||
| Problem gambling (3–4): 0.1%; pathological gambling (+5): 0.02%; combined rate: 0.12% (past-year prevalence) |
a
Studies in non-peer-reviewed papers.
b
Study only available in the overview provided by Druine (2009), which do not contain specific information about methodology, such as response rates.
c
Study only available in the overview provided by Szczyrba et al. (2015), which do not contain specific information about methodology, such as response rates.
d
These studies are only available in their native languages and the information reported is based on the overviews provided by Laansoo and Niit (2009), which do not contain so specific information about methodological procedures, such as response rates.