About 1% of American adults—nearly 3 million people—are
pathological gamblers. Another 2%–3% have less serious but still
significant problems, and as many as 15 million are at risk,
with at least two of the symptoms described by the American
Psychiatric Association. What is Problem Gambling? Problem
gambling/Pathological gambling involves five or more of the
following: - Preoccupation with past, present, and future
gambling experiences and with ways to obtain money for gambling.
- Need to increase the amount of wagers. - Repeated unsuccessful
efforts to cut back or stop. - Becoming restless or irritable
when trying to cut back or stop. - Gambling to escape from
everyday problems or to relieve feelings of helplessness,
anxiety, or depression. - Trying to recoup immediately after
losing money (chasing losses). - Lying about gambling. -
Committing illegal acts to finance gambling. - Losing or
jeopardizing a personal relationship, job, or career opportunity
because of gambling. - Requesting gifts or loans to pay