In California, problem gamblers can receive no-cost treatment through CalGETS. Between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017, 879 problem gamblers entered outpatient treatment. We analyzed their reports of total gambling losses during the 12 months before they entered treatment.
On average, problem gamblers reported losing $19,094 in the past year. This is 6 times more costly than smoking in direct expenses to the consumer.
The combined total amount lost for gamblers entering outpatient treatment was $16,592,905.
Source – Outpatient Gamblers: CalGETS Fiscal Year 2016-17 dataset, prepared for the California Department of Public Health, Office of Problem Gambling by the University of California Los Angeles Gambling Studies Program. CalGETS treatment participants were asked: “In the past 12 months, on the days that you gambled, about how much money have you lost gambling?” Source – Cigarette costs: Glover, M. (2017, March 30). Think cigarettes cost too much? Wait until Saturday. The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved from: https://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article141834509.html
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.