Who hasn't fantasized about a life of ease? What would it be like to have
enough money to build a beautiful house, buy that expensive car, travel?
Those dreams, along with more down-to-earth thoughts of having some money
left over after paying the bills, are what drive so many Americans to
gamble. It is estimated that, in 1997, Americans collectively wagered more
than half a trillion dollars. Some 85 percent of American adults have
gambled at least once in their lives, more than 70 percent at least once in
the past year. It is important to remember that most adults gamble
responsibly. However, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling
(NCPG), some three million adults are pathological gamblers, and another
three to six million have less significant, but still serious problems.
Problem gambling involves behavior that compromises, disrupts, or damages
the gambler's personal life, relationships, finances, and/or work. The
gambler feels a need to bet more money more often, becomes restless or
irritable when not gambling or when trying to stop, may be secretive about
his/her gambling habits, and keeps on gambling despite all the negative
consequences. Indeed, a person can become addicted to gambling, getting a
"high" which has the same effect that another person might get through
alcohol or drugs. The frequency of gambling may increase as the gambler
tries to recreate that feeling. Tolerance may develop such that more intense
gambling is necessary to achieve the same emotional impact. The gambler
experiences increasingly powerful cravings to gamble which become harder and
harder to resist. Some problem gamblers are more likely to abuse drugs
and/or alcohol, and a number of problem gamblers were raised in families
where one or both parents had a problem with drinking and/or gambling.
Problem gamblers are more at risk for depression and even suicide. Adverse
consequences for families can include domestic violence and child
neglect/abuse.

The NCPG has identified the following signs of pathological gambling:

1. You have often gambled longer than you had planned.

2. You have often gambled until your last dollar was gone.

3. Thoughts of gambling have caused you to lose sleep.

4. You have used your income or savings to gamble while letting bills go
unpaid.

5. You have made repeated, unsuccessful attempts to stop gambling.

6. You have broken the law or considered breaking the law to finance your
gambling.

7. You have borrowed money to finance your gambling.

8. You have felt depressed or suicidal because of your gambling losses.

9. You have been remorseful after gambling.

10. You have gambled to get money to meet your financial obligations."