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Gambling in Germany: 80% Have Tried It, but Addiction Risks Linger

From casual bets to life-altering addictions, Germany's gambling landscape is vast. Why are young men the most vulnerable—and is regulation working?

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1 min read
The image shows a man playing a slot machine with the words "Jackpot" on it. He is surrounded by a...
The image shows a man playing a slot machine with the words "Jackpot" on it. He is surrounded by a board with text and pictures of fruits, suggesting that he is playing online casino games.

Poll: 80 Percent Have Gambled at Least Once - Gambling in Germany: 80% Have Tried It, but Addiction Risks Linger

A new survey reveals that gambling is widespread in Germany, with around 80 percent of people aged 16 to 70 having tried it at least once. The study, carried out by Forsa between January and May 2024, gathered responses from roughly 11,500 participants. While most gamble without problems, a small but concerning number show signs of addiction or risky behaviour.

The findings indicate that 95 percent of those surveyed either gamble occasionally or not at all. However, 3.82 percent display noticeable gambling habits, with 0.37 percent falling into the category of problematic behaviour. The most severe cases—those with pathological gambling tendencies—account for 0.28 percent of respondents.

Men under 45 are the most active gamblers, reporting far more frequent and high-stakes betting than women. Around 8 percent of participants gamble at least two to three times a month. The consequences for compulsive gamblers can be severe, often including financial ruin, strained family relationships, and neglected careers.

Since the last major survey in 2019, outpatient treatment cases for pathological gambling have halved, dropping from 10.8 cases per facility in 2017 to 5.5 in 2024. Despite this decline, estimates suggest about 2.4 percent of adults (1.4 million people) still struggle with gambling disorders. Meanwhile, online gambling checks via OASIS surged to over 5.2 billion in 2025, reflecting tighter player protection measures.

The survey highlights that while gambling remains common, only a small fraction of the population faces serious risks. The drop in treatment cases suggests some progress, but the high volume of OASIS checks points to ongoing efforts to curb problem gambling. Authorities continue to monitor trends as they balance regulation with harm reduction.

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