- Do you think about gambling a lot – or think about how to get the money you need to gamble a lot?
- Do you gamble to escape - gambling when you’re feeling down, depressed, angry (or any other negative emotions)?
- Do you try to win back losses with more gambling?
- Do you owe anyone gambling money?
- Do you find that you need to bet greater amounts to get the same level of excitement you used to get with smaller amounts?
- Have you ever tried to cut back on your gambling, but been unable to do so?
- When you try to keep from gambling, do you feel irritable?
- Have you ever broken the law to get money to gamble?
- Do you lie to others about the extent of your gambling or your gambling problems?
- Has your gambling ever lost you a job or a relationship?1
Answering yes to any of the above questions indicates a possible gambling problem. Those that answer yes to 5 or more of the above questions meet the APA criteria for pathological gambling. 2
Gambling Addiction Statistics
- An estimated 20% of pathological gamblers will commit suicide and most will seriously consider taking their own life at some point. 3
- More money is made on gambling in America than on the combined revenues of all recorded music, movies, spectator sports (NFL, MBA, NBA etc.) theme parks and cruise ships.
- 5% of American gamblers (problem and pathological gamblers) contribute 25% of casino and lottery profits 4
Who Is at Risk of Gambling Addiction?
Although anyone can develop a problem with gambling, people in certain situation are at statistically greater risk, such as people:
- Who started gambling at a younger age
- Who have a drug or alcohol abuse problem, or those who have a co-occurring mental illness
- Who live in environments where gambling is available and or/accepted
- Who grew up in families where one or both parents had gambling problems5
page last update Aug 17, 2010
