Definitions
There are many definitions of what people think is “gambling.” So what is it, really?
Gambling (or “betting” or gaming”) is any behavior that involves the risking of money or valuables on the outcome of a game, contest, or other event. This event or game may be in part or totally dependent upon chance.
Gamblers Anonymous defines gambling as: “Betting or wagering, for self or others, whether for money or not, no matter how slight or insignificant, where the outcome is uncertain or depends upon chance or skill.”
For most people, gambling is something done for fun and recreation. One might buy a Powerball ticket, play some Bingo, bet on a sporting event, or play video lottery. The facts are that the majority of people gamble with little or no adverse consequences; they are commonly considered “social gamblers.”
But for some, gambling becomes a problem–and for some, uncontrollable. Problem and pathological gambling destroys families, friendships, finances and hopes, and for some, even life itself.
Problem Gambling
The National Council on Problem Gambling says problem gambling is “gambling behavior which causes disruptions in any major area of life: psychological, physical, social or vocational. The term “Problem Gambling” includes, but is not limited to, the condition known as “Pathological”, or “Compulsive” Gambling.”
The term “problem gambling” is sometimes used to refer to people who don’t meet the diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling but are thought to be in the early stages of the pathological gambling disorder.
Pathological Gambling
Pathological gambling is considered a more serious form of problem gambling. We often hear the term “gambling addiction” applied to pathological gambling.
According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual oriental Disorders (4th ed., 1994), pathological (or compulsive) gambling is a persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior as indicated by five or more of the following criteria:
- The individual is preoccupied with gambling (i.e. preoccupied with reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble).
- The individual needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement.
- The individual has repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop gambling.
- The individual is restless or irritable with attempting to cut down or stop gambling.
- The individual gambles as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a dysphoric mood (i.e., feeling of helplessness, guilty, anxiety, and depression).
- The individual after losing money gambling often returns another day to get even (“chasing” one’s losses).
- The individual lies to family members, therapist, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling.
- The individual has committed illegal acts such as forgery, fraud, theft, or embezzlement to finance gambling.
- The individual has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, education or career opportunity because of gambling.
- The individual relies on others to provide money or relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling.
