A recent nationally representative survey from Gambling Addiction Norway shows that gambling problems affect a much larger proportion of the population than many might think. A full 26.5% of the adult population has either had problems with gambling themselves, or knows someone who has. This corresponds to over 1 million people.
The survey was conducted by InFact with 4,000 respondents.
A widespread but still taboo problem
Among those surveyed, 5.7% stated that they themselves have had problems with gambling, while 20.8% know someone who has. Young adults and men are more at risk, both in terms of their own problems and knowledge of the challenges of others.
Although over half (58%) view gambling addiction as a real addiction, almost one in three (28%) still believe that it is primarily about morality and self-control. This contributes to both addicts and their families experiencing shame and social stigma.
Important way forward
The survey confirms that gambling problems are far more widespread than many realize, and that over one million Norwegians are either directly affected or know someone who is.
At the same time, it reveals significant knowledge gaps and attitudinal challenges in the population. Many still view gambling addiction as a question of morality and self-control, rather than a real disorder. This contributes to stigmatization and a higher threshold for gambling addicts and their relatives to seek help.
The survey reflects the experiences of Gambling Addiction Norway.
Although we at Gambling Addiction Norway are somewhat surprised by the high numbers, the findings are still in line with our experience. Every year, more people contact us for help, and the survey shows that the health system needs to take gambling addiction more seriously.
Both gambling addicts and their relatives experience that their problems are not always taken seriously when they open up about their problems at home or in the support system. We are not happy that it is a problem, but we are happy to reveal how big the problem is. Gambling addiction is a disease with serious consequences and must be handled accordingly.
We are also grateful for your participation. With 4,000 respondents, we have just over half as many responses as in the population survey on gambling problems in the population. We are very pleased with that.
Would you like to read the full report?
The survey was conducted and reported by InFact in June 2025. Here you can read more about the main findings and results for the entire survey.
