WHO IS "PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLER"? "PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLER" DEFINITION

Gambling Information > Who is "Pathological Gambler"? "Pathological Gambler" Definition

To many people, gambling is a simple form of entertainment. But to some others, it becomes an uncontrollable behavior. Many terms are used to describe a person who has a problem with gambling, including pathological gambler, gambling addict, compulsive gambler, or problem gambler. All of these terms are used to describe a person for whom gambling has become more than an innocent diversion.

According to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) of the American Psychological Association, a person who exhibits at least five of the following behaviors may be a pathological gambler:

• Preoccupation with gambling (e.g., preoccupied with reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble).
• Needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement.
• Repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop gambling.
• Restlessness or irritability when attempting to cut down or stop gambling.
• Gambles as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving dysphoric mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression).
• After losing money gambling, often returns another day in order to get even ("chasing" one's losses).
• Lies to family members, therapists or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling.
• Has committed illegal acts such as forgery, fraud, theft or embezzlement, in order to finance gambling.
• Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling.
• Reliance on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling.

Who is most at risk for becoming a Pathological Gambler? Research has shown that there are factors that increase the risk of being a pathological gambler. Surveys of pathological gamblers show a greater proportion of:

• Males
• Children of pathological gamblers
• People with the attitude that money causes and is also the solution to all their problems
• Individuals with a poor education
• Single persons
• Individuals whose household income is below the mean

Researchers consider pathological gambling an invisible problem with symptoms that are hard to distinguish from non-pathological gambling. This contrasts with drug or alcohol addiction where there are obvious symptoms of intoxication. Further, individual cases will vary greatly. There are many people who have a variety of risk factors but don't become problem gamblers.