Gambling has always been popular. In colonial America it was considered civil duty to play the lottery. Today gambling is even more popular. The Triple Crown (The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness Stakes and The Belmont Stakes) is televised on national channels, while other important horse races are televised on other sports channels. Poker is all over the television with shows such as High Stakes Poker and televised events like the World Poker Tour and the World Series of Poker. And new states are legalizing slot parlors and table games in the attempt to increase revenue.
Some may say that gambling itself is a scam, if not the oldest scam. Casinos promise high payouts and winning by using attention getting slogans to entice players to play at their establishment.
It isn’t the casinos that are the con-artists though. It is the addicted gambler that is conning his or her mind into believing a windfall is coming. Statistics say that about six percent of adults that are involved in gambling are severely addicted to their “past time.”
Studies show that gambling problems can be easily contributed to the lack self control. It is necessary for one, or someone close, to identify that there is a problem. Once the problem is identified, it can be acted upon.
Here are some questions that should be asked to detect if there is a problem:
* After you lose money gambling, whether it’s a small or large amount, do you regret it or feel resentment?
* When you win, do you have a strong desire to win more, therefore you want to go back?
* When you lose, do you feel a need to go gambling very soon to win it back?
* Do you spend a lot of time gambling, usually longer than what you planned?
* If you have personal problems, do you gamble to escape from them?
* Are you spending more time gambling than with work?
* Do you not stop until you have lost your last dollar?
* Do arguments take place between you and your family because of your need to gamble?
* Do you barrow money from friends or family to finance your gambling?
To a certain group of people, gambling can be destructive. It is a condition that is often ignored, and family, friends and reputations are at risk. There are two classifications that gamblers can usually fit into.
The first classification of the Escape Gambler affects women from their thirties and up. Usually the reasons for escaping to this past time are because of emotional pain, being bored and lonely or depressed. The emotional issues that lead to this type of gambling can be treated with professional help.
Most men fit into the second classification of the Action Gambler. These gamblers are more difficult to deal and treat. To this type of gambler, gambling is a like a drug addiction. Winning is the greatest high, and losing is the pain of withdraw. Most action gamblers deny the fact that they have a problem when confronted. Typically they will not stop until they have nothing financially.
The primary reason for the trouble gambler to keep gambling is to win a huge amount of money. But that almost never happens. Though most people are able to gamble recreationally, there will always be a group that will be unable to control themselves.