Gambling losses in top 15 countries

Some people bet big, really big. There are people who have lost cars, houses and even hotels in gambling.

Let us take a look at 15 countries and see where they rank when it comes to gambling losses, according to The Economist's data.

NOTE: The ranking is based on net loss per adult resident.

...

Australia

Loss per adult resident (2010): $1,300

Australia holds at least one world record for gambling, with over 80 per cent of adults engaging in gambling of some kind.

In 2007-08, the states collected about $3 billion from poker machines, and $4.9 billion from all forms of gambling. Taxes on poker machines made up 5.6 per cent of all revenue, and gambling takes in general came to 9.1 per cent.

...

Singapore

Loss per adult resident (2010): $1,170

Singapore is poised to vault past Las Vegas to become the world's number two gambling destination, behind Macao in southern China.

...

Ireland

Loss per adult resident (2010): $590

Gambling on horse-racing and sporting fixtures is hugely popular in Ireland, and punters are increasingly using the Internet to place their bets.

...

Canada

Loss per adult resident (2010): $570

In Canada, gambling operates exclusively under the control of the provincial and territorial governments.

...

Finland

Loss per adult resident (2010): $550

Gaming in Finland is organized as a national monopoly and the age limit is 18.

...

Italy

Loss per adult resident (2010): $480

While Italy's economy is stalling, the gambling industry is booming, with 12.9 per cent growth in 2010, and double-digit expansion projected for 2011.

...

Hong Kong

Loss per adult resident (2010): $450

The Hong Kong Jockey Club is one of the oldest institutions in Hong Kong, founded in 1884 to promote horse racing. It was granted Royal Charter and renamed to 'The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club' in 1959.

The name of the institution was reverted to its original name in 1996 due to the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong in 1997.

...

Norway

Loss per adult resident (2010): $420

Gambling for most part is illegal in Norway. Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto are the only two companies allowed to offer gambling services to Norwegian citizens.

...

Greece

Loss per adult resident (2010): $410

Recent figures published by the EU show that Malta has the largest number of registered online gaming companies in the EU.

...

Spain

Loss per adult resident (2010): $405

Spain's lottery market is one of the largest in the world and can boast impressive per-capita sales.

...

Sweden

Loss per adult resident (2010): $390

The gaming industry employs as many people as the automobile manufacturer Saab, with the difference being that the gaming companies deliver consistent profitability.

...

Denmark

Loss per adult resident (2010): $370

The Danish gaming legislation can be characterized as a difficult balancing act between consideration for tradition and the desire to nevertheless permit a gaming market.

...

The United States

Loss per adult resident (2010): $370

Gambling is legally restricted in the United States, but its availability and participation is increasing.

...

The United Kingdom

Loss per adult resident (2010): $350

Gambling in the United Kingdom is regulated by the Gambling Commission on behalf of the government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport under the Gambling Act 2005.

...

Japan

Loss per adult resident (2010): $340

Gambling in Japan is generally banned by the Criminal Code chapter 23.

However, there are several exceptions, including betting on horse racing and certain motor sports.