What is Gambling Addiction?

Gambling Addiction

Gambling becomes an addiction when your gambling is pathological and compulsive. It is a mental disorder with the following characteristics:

• You are preoccupied and think frequently about gambling.
• You gamble with larger and larger amounts of money.
• You gamble even when you do not want to.
• If you cannot gamble, you become anxious and irritable.
• You gamble to escape problems or when you are in a bad mood.
• You try to win back gambling losses by gambling more.
• You lie when asked about the extent of your gambling.
• Your gambling is financed by illegal acts.
• Your gambling endangers your relationships or your job.
• You become dependent on people who have given you money.

A person is addicted to gambling if five or more of these characteristics apply. Each one of the above characteristics is an indication of problematic gambling behaviour.