Men
Men are roughly twice as likely to engage in regular gambling as women (69% vs. 36% in general studies; 28% vs. 13% in frequent participation)
Overall Engagement
According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, an estimated 95% of women who gamble are classified as "escape gamblers"—playing to relieve boredom, pass time, or cope with stress and life changes rather than purely for the thrill of winning
Escape Gambling
A national survey by Common Sense Media reveals that 36% of boys aged 11 to 17 have engaged in gambling within the past year.
Underage Participation
A report by Common Sense Media found that 36% of boys aged 11 to 17 gambled in the past year. This rate increases with age, jumping from 32% of 11-year-olds up to 49% of 17-year-olds
Adolescent Boys
Roughly 39% to 45% of all casino patrons are over the age of 65.
Casino Attendance
Nearly half of men aged 18 to 49 (roughly 46% to 48%) hold an active online sports betting account
Online Sportsbooks
Women are more likely to play lotteries, bingo, electronic gambling machines (EGMs), and online or casino games, while men participate at significantly higher rates in sports betting and high-risk strategic games
Game Preferences
Participation increases with age, rising from 32% of 11-year-olds up to 49% of 17-year-old boys reporting gambling activity
Age Progression
About 11% of teens who gamble are classified as being at high risk for gambling problems or addiction
High-Risk Gamblers
Older adults primarily engage in slot machines, bingo, lotteries, scratch tickets, and card games.
Popular Games
Among young men aged 19 to 29, studies show up to 35% fall into high-risk categories for gambling-related harm, more than double the national average
Young Men & Risk
Compulsive or problem gambling rates are generally lower among women (around 2.9% in the U.S.) compared to men (around 4.2%), though older women (aged 60+) and specific online demographics have seen rising risk numbers.
Rates
According to a survey by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), 65% of U.S. adults reported participating in at least one form of gambling before turning 21
Early Exposure
Boys who gamble spend an average of $54 per year, with older teens (ages 14–17) averaging $58 and higher-loss gamblers spending $159 or more
Spending Habits
Retirement, fixed incomes, the loss of a spouse, and cognitive changes can make older adults more susceptible to the financial and psychological fallout of compulsive betting
Vulnerabilities
Men are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with a gambling disorder across all age groups and have historically shown three times higher odds of problem gambling than women
Disorder Rates
Research suggests women often experience "telescoping," meaning they can progress from casual gambling to a severe addiction faster than men once they start
Telescoping Effect
Globally, approximately 17.9% of individuals under 18 have gambled in a 12-month period, with North America reporting the highest regional rate at 33.7%
Global Trends
64% of young gamblers participate via online gaming—including loot boxes and skin betting—where real money is used for chance-based rewards. 54% of boys who engage in gaming-related gambling have spent real money on these random rewards.
Video Games and Microtransactions
Many older adults gamble to socialize on group excursions, break daily routines, combat loneliness, or escape physical and psychological stress/grief
Social and Emotional Drivers
Over half of male sports bettors (52%) report "chasing" losses by increasing their bet sizes, while 37% have felt ashamed after losing, and 20% have experienced financial trouble meeting basic expenses
Financial and Behavioral Fallout
Women often face higher levels of social shame, guilt, and a lack of gender-specific support networks, which can deter them from seeking help
Barriers to Help
The proliferation of mobile sportsbooks, in-game purchases (such as loot boxes), and social media/video platform advertisements have made digital and peer-to-peer betting much more accessible directly from a smartphone
Digital Access
45% of gambling boys see online gambling content in their feeds, with nearly 60% reporting that it appears passively through algorithmic recommendations rather than intentional searches
Algorithmic Exposure
Problem gambling in older age is frequently linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety, alcohol use, and smoking compared to non-gambling peers
Comorbidities