Spain Grapples with Shifting Addiction Landscape: Gaming on the Rise, Pornography Use Declines
Spain is facing a complex shift in addiction patterns, according to a new report released by the National Drug Plan. While traditional substance use remains a concern, behavioral addictions – particularly gaming, internet use and pornography consumption – are increasingly under scrutiny. The report, presented by Secretary of State for Health Javier Padilla and Delegate of the Government for the National Drug Plan, Xisca Sureda, reveals a concerning rise in gambling among young people, alongside a decrease in problematic internet use and pornography consumption.
The Growing Appeal of Online and In-Person Gambling
One of the most significant findings of the report is the surge in gambling participation among adolescents aged 14-18. In 2025, 13% of secondary school students reported engaging in online gambling, while a substantial 20.9% participated in in-person gambling. These figures represent an increase compared to 2023 and 2021, signaling a worrying trend. Boys are significantly more likely to gamble than girls (online: 20.7% vs. 5.3%; in-person: 29.5% vs. 12.3%).
The report highlights a lack of control over access to betting establishments, as noted by Delegate Sureda. Students who gamble online tend to spend more money than those who gamble in person. Problematic gambling is particularly prevalent among those who gamble frequently (daily or weekly) and those who spend €61 or more in a single day.
Pornography and Internet Use: A Mixed Picture
While gambling is on the rise, the report indicates a slight decrease in problematic internet use and pornography consumption. Pornography use among students aged 14-18 has declined, although it remains approximately three times more common among boys than girls. Problematic internet use has similarly decreased among girls, though it remains higher than among boys.
Padilla cautioned that the decrease in problematic internet use may be a temporary effect of the pandemic, urging careful examination of the data to determine if the trend will continue.
Video Games and Emerging Concerns
Video game use remains widespread among students (84.4%), with a significantly higher prevalence among boys (96.8%) compared to girls (71.8%). Approximately 8.6% of male students may be exhibiting signs of video game addiction, compared to 1.8% of female students.
Treatment Admissions Reflect Shifting Priorities
Data on admissions to treatment for behavioral addictions shows a growing demand for services. In 2023, there were 4,916 admissions, slightly higher than in 2022 (4,670). The vast majority of these admissions (87%) were men, and the most common addiction treated was gambling (81%), followed by disorders related to video games, social media, and other digital devices (9%).
The Impact of New Regulations
The release of this report coincides with the Spanish government’s announcement of new regulations aimed at protecting minors online. These regulations will require digital platforms to implement effective age verification systems to prevent access to social media for those under 16.
FAQ
Q: What is considered gambling for the purposes of this report?
A: Gambling is defined as betting money on uncertain outcomes with economically valuable prizes.
Q: Is pornography use declining across all age groups?
A: The report focuses specifically on students aged 14-18. Data for other age groups is not included.
Q: What is the government doing to address the rise in gambling?
A: The government is implementing new regulations to restrict access to online platforms and is using data from reports like this to inform prevention and treatment strategies.
Q: Are there differences in the types of gambling preferred by boys and girls?
A: Girls who gamble tend to favor bingo and online roulette, while boys prefer digital roulette and sports betting.
Q: What percentage of students are considered to have a problematic relationship with pornography?
A: 4.1% of students exhibit problematic pornography use, with a significantly higher prevalence among boys (7.2%) compared to girls (1%).
Did you know? The ESTUDES 2025 survey included a representative sample of 35,256 students across Spain.
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