There has been debate over how problem gambling should be defined. Research by governments in Australia led to a universal definition for that country which appears to be the only research based definition not to use diagnostic criteria.

Problem gambling is characterised by many difficulties in limiting money and/or time spent on gambling which leads to adverse consequences for the gambler, others, or for the community

History

The fellowship of Gamblers Anonymous is the outgrowth of a chance meeting between two men during the month of January in 1957. These men had a truly baffling history of trouble and misery due to an obsession to gamble. They began to meet regularly and as the months passed neither had returned to gambling.

They concluded from their discussions that in order to prevent a relapse it was necessary to bring about certain character changes within themselves. In order to accomplish this, they used for a guide certain spiritual principles which had been utilized by thousands of people who were recovering from other compulsive addictions. The word spiritual can be said to describe those characteristics of the human mind that represent the highest and finest qualities such as kindness, generosity, honesty and humility. Also, in order to maintain their own abstinence they felt that it was vitally important that they carry the message of hope to other compulsive gamblers.

As a result of favorable publicity by a prominent newspaper columnist and TV commentator, the first group meeting of Gamblers Anonymous was held on Friday, September 13, 1957, in Los Angeles, California. Since that time, the fellowship has grown steadily and groups are flourishing throughout the world.

Gambling Problem

Problem gambling (ludomania) is an urge to gamble despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop. The term is preferred to compulsive gambling among many professionals, as few people described by the term experience true compulsions in the clinical sense of the word. Problem gambling often is defined by whether harm is experienced by the gambler or others, rather than by the gambler's behavior. Severe problem gambling may be diagnosed as clinical pathological gambling if the gambler meets certain criteria.

Pathological gambling

Extreme cases of problem gambling may cross over into the realm of mental disorders. Pathological gambling was recognized as a psychiatric disorder in the DSM-III, but the criteria were significantly reworked based on large-scale studies and statistical methods for the DSM-IV. As defined by American Psychiatric Association, pathological gambling is an impulse control disorder that is a chronic and progressive mental illness. Pathological gambling is now defined as persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior meeting at least five of the following criteria, as long as these behaviors are not better explained by a manic episode:

1. Preoccupation: The subject has frequent thoughts about gambling experiences, whether past, future, or fantasy.
2. Tolerance: As with drug tolerance, the subject requires larger or more frequent wagers to experience the same "rush".
3. Lying: The subject tries to hide the extent of his or her gambling by lying to family, friends, or therapists.
4. Escape: The subject gambles to improve mood or escape problems.
5. Withdrawal: Restlessness or irritability associated with attempts to cease or reduce gambling.
6. Chasing: The subject tries to win back gambling losses with more gambling.
7. Loss of control: The person has unsuccessfully attempted to reduce gambling.
8. Stealing: in order to seed their gambling addiction
9. Illegal acts: The person has broken the law in order to obtain gambling money or recover gambling losses. This may include acts of theft, embezzlement, fraud, forgery, or bad checks.
10. Risked significant relationship: The person gambles despite risking or losing a relationship, job, or other significant opportunity.
11. Bailout: The person turns to family, friends, or another third party for financial assistance as a result of gambling.

As with many disorders, the DSM-IV definition of pathological gambling is widely accepted and used as a basis for research and clinical practice internationally.

Treatment for Pathological Gambling

A variety of treatments exist for pathological gambling including counseling, self-help groups, and psychiatric medications. However, no one treatment is considered to be most efficacious and no medications have been approved for the treatment of pathological gambling by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Gamblers Anonymous (GA) is a commonly used treatment for gambling problems. Modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, GA uses a 12-step model that emphasizes a mutual-support approach. Meetings are free and are held most nights of the week.

Treatment for Gambling Problem

Counseling

Gambling counselling is usually delivered by professional counsellors who are often either qualified psychologists or social workers. In many jurisdictions services are free or subsidised by government agencies. Telephone counselling services are also available in many countries. Examples of services include Gamcare (UK) and Gambler's Help (Australia).

Peer-support

A growing method of treatment is peer support. With the advancement of online gambling, many gamblers experiencing issues use various online peer-support groups to aid their recovery. This protects their anonymity whilst allowing to attempt to self-recover often without having to disclose their issues to loved ones.

Self-help

Research into self-help for problem gamblers is showing promising results. David Hodgins research into the use of workbooks followed up with telephone support has shown benefits

Step-based programs

One step-based program for gambling issues is Gamblers Anonymous. Gambler's Anonymous uses a 12 step program adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous and also places an emphasis on peer support. Other step-based programs (some commercially operated) that are both specific to gambling and generic to addiction have also be used to treat problem gamblers.

International Gambling Hotline

Argentina: 0054-15-4412-6745

Australia

New South Wales: 02-9564-1574
Tasmania: 03-6224-2786
Victoria: 03-9696-6108
Queensland: 07-3356-0117 or 1800 00 22 10
South Australia: 08-8212-6933

Brazil

Rio de Janeiro: (21) 2516-4672
São Paulo: (11) 3229-1023
Santos e São Vicente: (12) 3469-5248
Florianópolis: (48) 8414-2208
Blumenau: (47) 9121-0079

Canada

Calgary: 888-GA-HELPS (888-424-3577)
Southern Alberta: (403) 329-7467
Edmonton: (780) 463-0892

Colombia: (57-1) 6770135

Croatia: 00385 91 754 35 34

Germany

Germany's Regional Service Office: (040) 209-9009, (040) 209-9019
English Speaking Contact: 011-4917-08090599 or 011-49-152-248-20424

Italy: 0039 - 33 8127 1215

Korea

Korea GA Service Office - Seoul: 02-521-2141 Fax: 02-521-2143
For Meeting Information in Kwangju City: 062-364-0859
Ulsan: 052-296-0563
Taegu: 053-768-1832
Pusan: 051-338-3605

Latvia

Information: +37129738121
English: +37126717155

Malta: 2123 3933

Netherlands: 0900-2177721 (06 434 11 985)

Norway

Bergen: 93 20 59 32
Drammen: 99 01 45 22
Kristiansand: 45 22 37 42
Oslo: 95 81 09 34
Stavanger: 48 15 11 34
Hamar: 99 33 35 71
Moss: 94 35 38 92
Stokke: 91 33 90 14
Sarpsborg: 98 60 88 40
Arendal: 93 20 61 97

Portugal: 351 91 991 6611

Puerto Rico: (787) 257-2204

Russia

Moscow: +7 903 217 1838, +7 903 501 2711
Sergiev-Posad: +7 916 693 68 53
St. Peterburg: +7 921 772 44 07
Barnaul: +7 903 911 64 72
Naberezhnye Chelny: +7 917 220 22 28
Kazan: + 917 392 6647
Kiev: +380 50 998 97 59

Slovenija: 38631385646

South Africa

Durban: (031) 463 1616

Spain

Madrid e-mail: gagrupodespertar@yahoo.es

Sweden

Froshaga: 0739 70 76 42

Switzerland

Zuerich: 004-119456929

United Kingdom: 20 7384 3040

Southern Region: 20 7384 3040
Midlands Region: 0121 233 1335
North East Region: 01142 620 026
North West Region: 0161 976 5000
Scotland: 0870 050 8881
Ireland Derry: 01504 351 329
Dublin: 01 8721133

United States National hotline: 888-GA-HELPS (888-424-3577)

Alabama
Birmingham: (205) 824-2473
Montgomery: (334) 541-5420

Arizona
Arizona Spanish Hotline Number (888) 665-8346 (888 NOJUEGO)
Phoenix Hotline Number: (602) 266-9784
East Valley Hotline Number: (480) 598-1226
Tucson Hotline Number: (520) 570-7879
Bullhead City Hotline Number: (928) 763-0888

California
Northern California Hotline Number: (800) 287-8670

Colorado
Colorado Hotline Number: (303) 754-7119

Florida
St. Lucie/Martin/Broward/Palm Beach/Miami Area Hotline Number: (800) 891-1740
Orlando/North Central Florida Hotline Number: (800) 397-9843
Tampa Hotline Number: (866) 442-8622
Sarasota Hotline Number: (866) 442-8622
Naples/Ft. Myers/N. Ft. Myers/Charlotte Hotline Number: (866) 442-8622

Georgia
Atlanta Hotline Number: (404) 237-7281
Atlanta Korean Hotline: (404) 842-1070

Hawaii
Hawaii Hotline Number: (808) 595-8838
Kauai Hotline Number: (808) 639-9143

Illinois
Chicago Hotline Number: (866) 442-8620
Southern Illinois Hotline Number (800) 436-2250
Silvis Hotline Number (309) 792-4191

Indianapolis
Indianapolis Hotline Number (866) 442-8621

Kansas
Kansas Hotline Number: (888) 374-6442

Kentucky
Lexington Hotline Number:(859) 277-8236
Louisville Hotline Number: (888) 442-0628

Lousiana
New Orleans Hotline Number: (504) 431-7867
Lafayette/Opelousas Hotline Number: (337) 234-5001
Baton Rouge Hotline Number: (800) 203-8785

Maryland
Baltimore Hotline Number: (410) 377-3889
Washington Metropolitan Area & NW Virginia: (301) 961-1313

Massachusetts
Massachusetts Hotline Number: (617) 338-6020

Michigan
Michigan Hotline Number: (888) 844-2891
Grand Rapids Hotline Number: (616) 776-0666

Minnesota
Minneapolis Hotline Number: (877) 974-6442

Mississippi
Mississippi Hotline Number: (228) 864-0442

Missouri
Kansas City Hotline Number: (888) 374-6442

Montana
Billings Hotline Number: (406) 860-8287
Butte Hotline Number: (406) 496-6100
Helena Hotline Number: (406) 202-0299

Nebraska
Lincoln Hotline Number: (402) 473-7933
Omaha Hotline Number: (402) 978-7557

Nevada
Reno Hotline Number: (775) 356-8070
Carson City Hotline Number: (775) 887-3947

New Hampshire
New Hampshire Hot Line Number: (603) 644-8097

New Jersey
New Jersey Hotline Number: (877) 99GA4NJ or ( 877) 994-2465
Southern New Jersey Hotline Number: (888) 746-1427

New Mexico
Albuquerque Hotline Number: (505) 260-7272

New York
New York City Hotline Number: (877) 66GA4NY or ( 877-664-2469 )

North Carolina
North Carolina Hotline Number: (888) 846-4427
Greensboro/Winston-Salem Hotline Number: (336) 681-8516

Ohio
Akron Hotline Number: (330) 849-0619
Cincinnati Hotline Number: (888) 746-4942
Cleveland Hotline Number: (216) 771-2248
Columbus Hotline Number: (866) 442-5304
Dayton Hotline Number: (937) 449-9911
Toledo Hotline Number: (419) 327-9514
Youngstown Hotline Number: (330) 793-6893

Oklahoma
Bartlesville Hotline Number: (918) 333-3857
Broken Arrow Hotline Number: (918) 284-6514
Oklahoma City Hotline Number: (405) 525-2026
Oklahoma City & Surrounding Areas Hotline Number: (405) 912-2200
Tulsa Hotline Number: (918) 760-4349

Oregon
Portland Hotline Number: (503) 233-5888
Southern Oregon Hotline Number: (866) 335-9192
Lane County Hotline Number: (541) 343-0113

Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Hotline Number: (215) 468-1991 or (888) 442-7085
Pittsburgh Hotline Number: (412) 281-7484
Erie Hotline Number: (814) 897-1073

Rhode Island
Rhode Island Hotline Number: (401) 886-6850

Sauth Carolina
South Carolina Hotline Number: (888) 846-4427

Sauth Dakota
South Dakota Hotline Number: (605) 334-5419

Tennessee
Nashville Hotline Number: (615) 254-6454
Memphis Hotline Number: (901) 438-3695

Texas
Austin Hotline Number: (512) 860-2958
Dallas Hotline Number: (214) 890-0005
Houston Hotline Number: (713) 684-6654
San Antonio Hotline Number: (210) 497-5548

Utah
Salt Lake City Hotline Number: (801) 566-3390

Virginia
Baltimore Hotline Number: (410) 377-3889
Richmond/Chesterfield Area: (804) 422-6246
Washington Metropolitan Area & No. Virginia: (301) 961-1313

Washington
Seattle Hotline Number: (206) 361-8413
Vancouver Hotline Number: (360) 896-9602
Walla Walla Hotline Number: (509) 522-5086
All Other Areas: (877) 727-5050

Washington D.C.
Baltimore Hotline Number: (410) 377-3889
Washington Metropolitan Area & NW Virginia: (301) 961-1313

West Virginia
Wheeling Hotline Number: (304) 234-9799

Wisconsin
Wisconsin Hotline Number: (414) 299-0901
Madison Hotline Number: (608) 283-5800

Venezuela: 0414-3480895

These are common questions to help the individual decide if he or she is a compulsive gambler:

Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?
Did gambling affect your reputation?
Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling?
After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?
Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?
Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?
Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?
After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more?
Were you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures?
Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family?
Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?
Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble?
Have you ever gambled to escape worry, trouble, boredom or loneliness?
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?
Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling?
Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling?
Have you ever considered self destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling?

For more information about meetings and addresses call Gamblers Anonymous International Service Office in Los Angeles: (213) 386-8789

Help for family and friends in Whitestone, NY: 718-352-1671