Sunday, March 05, 2006

A gambling behavior which causes major disruptions in any major area of life whether physiological, physical, social or vocational is collectively known as problem gambling. It can be said that problem gambling is that form of gambling which goes beyond normal bounds of gambling for fun, recreation or entertainment. Problem gambling is often referred to as pathological or compulsive form of gambling where the gambler becomes unable to resist the impulses to gambling over an extended period of time. Pathological or problem gamblers often feel the need to bet more frequently and in larger amounts, and continue to gamble in spite of the serious negative consequences of their behavior. An important thing to note here is that anyone who gambles a lot for the sake of enjoying gambling as an entertainment will not be considered as a pathological gambler provided they set aside a predetermined amount of money for gambling, gamble for fun rather than for the certainty of winning, recognize that they are likely to lose, and don't bet more than they can afford to lose. Read further...