Gambling Information

What Is Gambling?

Gambling is defined as "the act of risking money or something else of value on an activity with an uncertain outcome." Wagering in a casino and placing a bet with a 'bookie' is the same as playing cards or video games for money, buying raffle tickets, betting on a pool game with your friends, betting your lunch money on a sporting event - it's all gambling, there's no difference.

When Is it a Problem?

A problem gambler is someone whose gambling behavior has a bad effect on their life or the lives of people close to them - parents, brothers, sisters, and your friends. If your gambling is causing you to fall  behind in your schoolwork, have arguments with family or friends, or  worry about money you have lost, it is considered to be "problem  gambling" and you're a "problem gambler".

What is "Pathological" or  "Compulsive" Gambling?

A more severe stage of problem gambling is "Pathological" or  "Compulsive" Gambling. This is a progressive addiction characterized  by increasing interest in gambling, a need to bet more money more often,  restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, "chasing" your  losses (trying to win lost money back), and a loss of control exhibited  by continuing to gamble despite increasing, serious, negative consequences.

The contents of this page were taken from

The Gamblers Anonymous web site.

http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Glamorized Gambling

As above, the life of a gambler is often depicted as a glamorous, worry free,  fancy and  fun. Problem gambling although is nothing like that. It is a progressive illness that can never be cured but with help, it may be arrested.