World's top 10 gambling nations

Gambling is a major revenue spinner globally with the legal gambling market totaling an estimated $335 billion in 2009.

H2 Gambling Capital ranks nations in terms of gambling losses per adult in different countries.

This includes cash lost in all kinds of betting including horse racing, poker machines, lotteries and casinos during 2010.

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1. Australia

Gaming losses per adult: $1,199

Australia, a gambler's haven has more than 400 racetracks and casinos.

Sydney has popular gambling avenues called Crown Casino and Star City Casino.

2. Singapore

Gaming losses per adult: $1,093

Singapore is now one of the hottest gaming destinations with Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa set to overtake the entire Las Vegas Strip.

Singapore is likely to become the world's second-largest gambling hub this year.

3. Ireland

Gaming losses per adult: $547

The unregulated gambling avenues have hooked over 40,000 people in the country.

The prize money from gambling is tax-free.

4. Canada

Gaming losses per adult: $528

While gambling spins big money, the Canadian Safety Council estimates that over 200 people per year commit suicide due to problems from gambling.

5. Finland

Gaming losses per adult: $514

In Finland, all gambling and lottery services are used to collect money for non-profit organisations.

Private companies are not allowed to conduct lotteries.

6. Italy

Gaming losses per adult: $481

Italy has seen a considerable rise in gambling revenues. Italy is has seen an online revenue growth of over 28 per cent in 2010.

By 2012, Italy will see its gaming turnover double with the rise of online poker cash games and online casino games in 2011.

7. Hong Kong

Gaming losses per adult: $468

Hong Kong and Macau attract a large number of visitors to their flashy casinos.

Gambling revenue in Macau rose 48 per cent in July from a year earlier.

8. Norway

Gaming losses per adult: $416

Norwegians enjoy a combination of land-based casinos, online gambling, sports betting and lottery games.

Norsk Tipping is the only company allowed to offer gambling activities.

9. Greece

Gaming losses per adult: $391

Gambling is legalised in Greece, which attracts millions of tourists. It has a large number of casinos.

10. Spain

Gaming losses per adult: $389

In terms of gambling losses, Spain is followed by Sweden, Denmark, United States, United Kingdom and Japan, all of which have losses below $400 per adult.