Poker, Sports Betting, Casino Games, Slots, Internet Bets, Horse Racing, The Lottery, Stock Market Trading… what do they all have in common? They are all considered popular forms of gambling. Gambling involves risking something of value on an event or activity in which the outcome is uncertain (usually involving money). The thought is by taking the risk, there will be an immediate reward. Although, skill may be involved, it can reduce but does not diminish the overall uncertainty.

Research shows that:
4-5% of Americans are problem gamblers
1% of Americans are pathological gamblers (severe problem gamblers)
Gender: 32% female; 68% male
Mean time problem gambling: 16 hours/week
Amount Lost: 45% of gross annual income
Primary Triggers: Boredom, Stress, Advertisements
Cravings & Urges occur prior to engagement in the problem activity.

Problem Gamblers: spend time and money gambling in a way that becomes harmful.
The main symptom of problem gambling is a loss of control over their gambling which is described as:

Escalation – of the gambling as an individual needs to take greater risks to win back money or to maintain a certain level of excitement.

Diminshed Control – an inability to stop gambling when they are ahead. Most problem and pathological gamblers will continue gambling until all their money is gone.

Common Signs of Problem Gambling:

Gambling longer than you intended
Betting “over your head” and then “chasing your losses”
Lying to family and friends about how much or how often you’re gambling
Missing work or family commitments and/or being distracted from your life because of gambling.

As gambling problems grow, feelings of guilt, shame and depression also grow…