Most Americans are social gamblers who participate in gaming activity without harmful effects.  Some gamblers cannot, however, and are referred to as problem or pathological (compulsive) gamblers.

The American Psychiatric Association first recognized pathological gambling as a mental disorder by its inclusion in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual in 1980.  According to the clinical description, the basic features of the disorder are a continuous or periodic loss of control over gambling; a progression, in frequency and in the amounts wagered; a preoccupation with gambling and in obtaining monies with which to gamble; and a continuation of the behavior despite adverse consequences.

In simple terms, problem gambling can be defined broadly as patterns of gambling behavior that compromise, disrupt or damage personal, family or vocational pursuits.  Pathological gambling is the most extreme form of problem gambling.  It is characterized by the loss of control over gambling, chasing of losses, lies and deception, family and job disruption, financial bailouts and illegal acts.

Many problem gamblers suffer a higher rate of other addictive disorders, in particular alcohol and substance abuse.  Furthermore, problem gamblers have high rates of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disease, and suffer very high suicide rates.

Many societal costs result from problem gambling.  These include the breakdown of families, decreased productivity, increased criminal activity, and financial insolvencies.  These problems place increased demands on social services.

• Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling?

• Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?

• Did gambling affect your reputation?

• Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?

• Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?

• Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?

• After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?

• After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more?

• Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?

• Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling?

• Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?

• Were you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures?

• Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself and your family?

• Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?

• Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?

• Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling?

• Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?

• Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble?

• Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling?

• Have you ever considered self-destruction as a result of your gambling?

A "yes" answer to at least seven of the above questions my indicate a compulsive gambler.

The mission of The Connecticut Committee for Gambling Awareness is to provide fair and balanced information to the citizens of Connecticut, as to the state benefits and social ills that might arise if gambling goes beyond being a form of entertainment.