Lisbon gambling addiction unit treats 50 patients in first three months

Portugal’s first public unit dedicated to treating gambling disorder, the Lisbon Gambling Intervention Unit, has treated 50 patients in its first three months of operation. Joana Teixeira, president of the Institute for Addictive Behaviors and Dependencies (ICAD), reported that one of the most severe cases involves an individual with debts totaling three million euros.

Data from ICAD indicates a sharp rise in demand for addiction services. The number of individuals seeking treatment for gambling disorders rose from 358 in 2023 to 782 in 2025, representing a 118% increase. The new unit was established to address a therapeutic gap in the country’s response to this growing issue.

Demographic trends show that the majority of those seeking help are men, with a significant number of young men under the age of 25. Of the 50 patients treated so far, only six are women, who tend to be older on average. ICAD is investigating whether stigma or other factors contribute to the lower rate of women seeking treatment, despite the prevalence of the disorder in men.