Much of the information surrounding problem gambling is caught in opposing arguments. Anti-gambling proponents and pro gambling lawmakers are constantly referring to conflicting research and studies on the topic of addictive gambling behavior. The facts and the myths are difficult to discern.

Gambling As Entertainment

For most people gambling is a recreational, leisure-time pursuit. People travel to casinos on vacation, play bingo for socialization, and do so without losing their shirts or being consumed with the activity.

Compulsive Gambling a Disease

Dr. Robert L. Custer was a leading psychiatrist in the field of compulsive gambling. He managed in 1980 to convince the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to define compulsive gambling as a disease. He also devised the “Custer Three Phase Model” that delineates the general phases of a compulsive gambler’s disease. These are the winning phase, the losing phase, and the desperation phase.

Gambling As Compulsion

While most Americans enjoy gambling infrequently and recreationally, a few others become so caught up in the impulse that they form addictive behaviors. Games such as slot machines and card games become an all-consuming thought for a problem gambler.

The impulse to gamble cannot be controlled, often leading from stages of winning to losing and then to the most serious demise of desperation. Desperate compulsive gamblers will often lie, cheat, and steal to find the money needed to pay debts that have typically been incurred by the desperation phase.

Gambling Commissions and Problem Gamblers

It might be surprising to know that most state gambling commissions provide extensive resources and information for problem gambling. A dozen or so states even contribute generous revenues from their state lotteries to problem gambling organizations.

Do Lotteries Lead to Addictions?

Many anti-lottery advocates suggest that state lotteries lend to the problem of addictive gambling. Most experts, though, argue that lotteries are the least likely gambling game to be played by problem gamblers.

Are Professional Gamblers Addicts?

Dr. Custer, the father of compulsive gambling research, categorized gamblers as professional, antisocial, casual, serious, escape, and compulsive. He made it clear that professional gamblers, though they are frequent gamblers, basically use gambling as a job, a career.

In so doing, they exhibit clear-headed money skills, clearly reasoned strategies, and the ability to walk away at any time without losing their bankroll. Custer did not classify professionals as compulsive gamblers.