What do we want to do here is to describe few symptoms of compulsive playing or gambling addiction. Gambling should be an enjoyable and positive experience but in some players it can cause unhealthy behavior and can have negative influence on their lives. It is useless to add that it can take away all the nice and enjoyable aspects of the game. It is believed that the 2-3 % of players in US have a problem with compulsive playing and 1% of them suffer pathological gambling. The statistics vary according to social groups and countries but one thing is sure, compulsive playing or gambling addiction is a serious problem and it is good to find out more about those disturbances before you enter the game.

What is compulsive playing?
Compulsive playing means that a person feels a need to pay despite the wish to stop playing and the harmful consequences of the game. Compulsive players may not feel the need to play in a medical sense but their behavior can be destructive to them and the people round them. Pathological players experience serious disorders and need professional help. Disorders recognized at the pathological players are described in the DSM-IV.

What are the Symptoms?
Bellow we list several signs of the disturbances that are experienced by addicted or pathological players.


Increased frequency and bigger amounts of gambled money
Playing for a longer time and going beyond the set limits of money
Spending longer time playing at the expense of the time for job or family
Mood swings, depending if the person wins or looses – higher when wins, lower when looses
Excessive preoccupation with gambling or the means to get the money that should later be used for gambling.
Secretive behavior like hiding casino bills, having bills and mails sent to work or to other places.
Constant talking about winnings but hiding the loses
Various problems caused by plying
Taking secret loans, increasing credit card or borrowing money for gambling purposes.

Gambling may not be seen as a disorder until the symptoms listed above become stronger and more evident. There are evident similarities of pathological gambling and substance abuse or dependence. At the beginning many players can feel “high” when playing and winning. That makes them want to play more and the money spent on the game can exceed one’s income. This may lead to the increased dose of risk-taking and overconfidence that would not occur in other circumstances.
It is important to see the problem when it begins. If the problematic behavior is let to develop it can harm personal relationship or cause financial or legal problems.

What Causes The Problems
The problematic behavior develops gradually. It starts with occasional gambling, than becomes habitual and later the need for gambling becomes so big that the person cannot help gambling. In this way the pattern of addiction is created. The person starts to play more often, bets more money and is ready to take greater risk. The compulsive or pathologic players spend more time playing, sacrificing the time that should be used for work or spent with their families. The exact reason why some people are surely more prone to those problems remains unknown. It is important to see the problem when it begins so the therapy would be easier.

How To Treat The Disturbances
There are organizations whose aim is to help and treat people with gambling disturbances. They provide information and organize therapy for addicted gamblers.  The most known organization is probably Gambler’s Anonymous. It is the best place to start dealing with the problem. The information about places and organizations handling with gambling problems can be found on the reputable casinos’ websites. On our page you will also find information about gambling organization. We list addresses of the places where people with gambling problems or their relatives can look for help. We have also listed some books that could be helpful to understand the problem.