New research is showing gambling addicts are struggling to kick the habit.

The latest National Gambling Study report shows the number of kiwis who participate has dropped by five percent in the last five years.

But still one-in-fifty kiwis have serious clinical gambling problems.

Gambling and Addictions Research Centre Centre Director Max Abbott says told Mike Hosking the number of people with significant problems is static because it's so hard to break the addiction cycle.

"About two-thirds of the people who are developing a problem over a twelve month are actually relapsing and then we've new got people joining them from those who take part regularly."

LISTEN ABOVE AS MAX ABBOTT TALKS TO MIKE HOSKING