Although gambling is a huge industry worldwide, it is well-established in Spain's entertainment sector. According to a recent study, over 80% of adults engage in regular or infrequent recreational gambling. A total of 22.9 million people, or 83.9% of the Spanish population between the ages of 18 and 75, reported gambling in the past year, according to the 2023 edition of the Game and Society survey. The study is the outcome of yearly research projects undertaken by the Murcia Recreational Federation and the Gaming Business Council.

According to the study, the great majority of users view the activity as a typical component of their leisure. The variety of gambling varies greatly at the same time. 

Playing Poker Is Recreation

In addition to participating in various lotteries, which 66% of the populace does, 17.9% of Spaniards visit gaming establishments such as casinos and bingo halls, sportsbooks, and more. This section acknowledged that the enjoyment that comes with gambling is what gives it value.

Sixty-one percent of users are aware that losses are a necessary trade-off for the entertainment value. For them, it's the same as if they had paid to see a live soccer match at a stadium or theater.

Most people who bet money on a slot machine at the bar don't do so in an attempt to make up for their losses. Rather, they view the loss as a financial trade-off for a fun time.

Additionally, the survey found that 15%–20% of Spaniards are reluctant gamblers. These are the people who detest the activity for a variety of reasons, including their religious or ideological beliefs and the possibility of feeling rejected if they lose. Interestingly, a sizable portion of this cohort consists of adults under the age of 25, defying the popular assumption that the majority of gamblers are young people.

COVID-19 made matters worse, causing gambling establishments to close for a while and clearly showing a decline in gambling in Spain in 2020. In that year, 80.9% of Spaniards engaged in some form of gaming, a percentage that was comparable to 80.3% in 2013. Subsequently, the figures have progressively returned to their pre-pandemic levels, reaching 82.4% in 2021. 

Gambling Issues Are Not an Issue

A related study on problem gambling produced important findings. Based on data from individuals undergoing treatment, it appears that there are less than 8,000 people in Spain who suffer from a gaming disorder

Based on data from different community health services, the population seeking treatment is equivalent to 0.02% of the population aged 18 to 75. This value is less than the threshold used to designate a disease as rare.

This implies that Spain's relationship with gambling is normal. This does not, however, mean that programs encouraging responsible gaming are unnecessary.

An evaluation and guidance that address the relevant issues are what are needed. According to a recent study, 97.4% of cases of gambling disorder are linked to other mental disorders in a sample of 116 patients from Spanish clinics.

The estimated rates of potentially problematic gambling, as determined by national surveys, are declining both globally and in Western Europe. The majority of Western European nations are below 0.3 percent, and nearly all are below 0.5%. Spain's 0.5% compares favorably to that of the Netherlands, Portugal, Germany, Denmark, Great Britain, and France.