• About Problem Gambling
• Problem Gambling and the Family
• Do I need Help?: Helpful Evaluation Questions
• Statewide Treatment Services: "Bettor Choice Programs"
• Frequently Asked Questions About Treatment Services  
• Connecticut Youth Gambling Report 2008 
• "You Tell Your Friend" (Youth gambling PSA)  Watch video!
• Problem Gambling Services - Upcoming Trainings  Spring 2010
• Problem Gambling Prevention Strategies for Addictions & Mental Health Treatment Facilities

 About Problem Gambling

You are not alone in your concern about problem gambling. Research estimates that there are about 2½ million pathological or addicted gamblers, 3 million problem gamblers, and about 15 million at-risk gamblers in the United States.  

Did you know?  

• A recent national survey found that 2.7 percent of American citizens suffer from moderate (problem gambling) to severe (pathological gambling) forms of disordered gambling.

• One in twenty Connecticut adults will experience a moderate to severe gambling problem at some time in their lives.

• Between 15 and 51 percent of players at Connecticut’s gambling facilities have severe gambling problems.

• Women make up the fastest growing group seeking help for problem gambling. Women generally develop a gambling problem faster than men do. Of female compulsive gamblers, 93 percent prefer slot machines and lottery games to other forms of gambling.

• Internet gambling appears to be the fastest growing form of gambling. Expected online gambling revenue for 2004 is over six billion dollars. 

Types of Gamblers:
One way to categorize gamblers is according to the number and severity of consequences they experience as a result of their own gambling.  

Non-problem or Recreational Gamblers. Most Americans are non-problem gamblers. Some of them don’t gamble or gamble infrequently. All non-problem gamblers wager with few or no negative consequences. They may win and/or lose, but they seldom spend more time or money on gambling than planned or can afford.  

At-risk gamblers have experienced a few problems as result of their gambling but, by and large, they have been able to control how much they gamble and have avoided piling up negative consequences. Because they have had some gambling related difficulties they are at increased risk of becoming problem gamblers. At-risk gamblers need to use caution when gambling. 

Problem gamblers gamble for more time and/or money than they can afford. For them gambling leads to a range of negative reactions or consequences varying from mild to moderate in severity. For example, problem gamblers may begin to gamble alone rather than with friends, minimize and conceal the extent of their gambling, or argue with family members about financial difficulties. In the United States, 2 to 3 percent of the population experience these kinds of problems because of their own gambling. Problem gamblers may gamble at a problematic level for a long time, go on to develop a more severe gambling problem, or return to recreational gambling without problems. 

Pathological gamblers, commonly called compulsive or addicted gamblers, suffer from the psychiatric disorder pathological gambling. In the U.S., pathological gamblers make up between 1% and 2% of the adult population. According to a 1996 study, the percentage of patrons with severe gambling problems at Connecticut gambling venues ranged from 15% to over 50%, depending upon the type of facility. Among casino patrons, the rate of probable pathological gambling was 15%. At pari-mutuel outlets, such as Jai Alai frontons and dog racing facilities, the rate doubled to 30%, and at off-track betting parlors (OTBs), 51% of the patrons were probable pathological gamblers  

Pathological gamblers repeatedly fail to control or stop gambling and accumulate serious negative consequences as a result. They are pre-occupied with gambling and may need to gamble with increasingly large sums to derive the desired effect. They have very strong urges to gamble and experience cravings when trying to cut down or stop. 

For pathological gamblers, gambling and the pursuit of money to finance it become all-important. Pathological gamblers may grow to depend on gambling to escape from life’s problems, lift a low mood or change how they feel about themselves. Many describe freedom from worry, relief from depression and feeling like a “winner” when gambling.  

For pathological gamblers the attraction is so strong that other parts of life may be neglected or sacrificed in order to continue gambling. Along with financial consequences, pathological gamblers damage careers, reputations, mental health, self-esteem, coping ability, relationships with family and friends and spirituality. Often they are unable to appreciate that the problems in their lives are gambling related. Instead they see themselves as having a money problem and reason, “If only I had more money I could gamble long enough to win back what I’ve lost and solve my problems.” As the disorder progresses and life becomes more difficult, pathological gamblers often struggle to keep the dream alive. Sometimes they become increasingly convinced that only more gambling will provide a solution. When desperate, pathological gamblers may commit crimes to finance gambling and/or they may become suicidal.  

The good news is that pathological gambling is a highly treatable disorder. Sufferers can reduce the role of gambling in their lives and cope more successfully with their problems. Many recovering problem and pathological gamblers report that life after gambling is more rewarding and satisfying. 

If you think you might have a gambling problem go to Helpful Evaluation Questions.

For information about treatment services and self–help go to Finding Help.

 Related Links .  .  . 

• Gambler's Anonymous   (Hotline: 1-800-266-1908)
• CT Council on Problem Gambling HELP Line (800-346-6238)
• Gam-Anon
• Gambler's Anonymous
• National Council on Problem Gambling
• North American State and Provincial Lotteries
• CT Clearinghouse

 Return to:  Statewide Services Division