1. Is a gambling addiction as serious as a drug addiction?
Yes, it can be in many ways. When an individual has a gambling problem, the person can become preoccupied with gambling. The individual with a gambling problem has an uncontrollable urge to gamble which makes them do things they wouldn't normally do, just like when someone has a drug addiction. People who are addicted believe that what they do helps them forget their problems. They see gambling or drugs as a solution to their problems when in fact the addiction only adds to their problems. Individuals suffering from a gambling problem can stop gambling, sometimes by themselves and other times with professional help.

2. How widespread is problem gambling in the U.S.?
2 million (1%) of U.S. adults are estimated to meet criteria for pathological gambling in a given year. Another 4-8 million (3-4%) would be considered problem gamblers; that is, they do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling, but meet one of more of the criteria and are experiencing problems due to their gambling behavior. It is estimated that between 4-7% of college students meet the criteria for pathological gambling. However, research also indicates that most people who choose to gamble are able to do responsibly.

3. Isn't problem gambling just a financial problem?
No. Problem gambling is an emotional problem that has financial consequences. If you pay all of a problem gambler's debts, the person will still be a problem gambler. The real problem is that they have an uncontrollable obsession with gambling.

4. What kind of people become problem gamblers?
Anyone who gambles can develop problems if they are not aware of the risks and do not gamble responsibly. When gambling behavior interferes with finances, relationships and the workplace, a serious problem already exists.

5. Do casinos, lotteries and other types of gambling “cause” problem gambling?
The cause of a gambling problem is the individual's inability to control the gambling. This may be due in part to a person's genetic tendency to develop addiction, their ability to cope with normal life stress and even their social upbringing and moral attitudes about gambling. The casino or lottery provides the opportunity for the person to gamble. It does not, in and of itself, create the problem any more than a liquor store would create an alcoholic.

6. What types of gambling cause the most problem gambling?
Again, the cause of a gambling problem is the individual’s inability to control the gambling. Therefore, any type of gambling can become problematic, just as an alcoholic can get drunk on any type of alcohol. But some types of gambling have different characteristics that may exacerbate gambling problems. While these factors are still poorly understood, anecdotal reports indicate that one risk factor may be a fast speed of play. In other words, the faster the wager-to-response time with a game, the more likely players may be to develop problems with a particular game.

7. What is the responsibility of the gaming industry?
Everyone who provides gambling opportunities has a responsibility to develop policies and programs to address underage and problem gambling issues.

8. Can you be a problem gambler if you don't gamble every day?
The frequency of a person's gambling does not determine whether or not they have a gambling problem. Even though the problem gambler may only go on periodic gambling binges, the emotional and financial consequences will still be evident in the gambler's life, including the effects on the family.

9. How much money do you have to lose before gambling becomes a problem?
The amount of money lost or won does not determine when gambling becomes a problem. Gambling becomes a problem when it causes a negative impact on any area of daily functioning.

10. How can a person be addicted to something that isn't a substance?
Although no substance is ingested, the problem gambler gets the same effect from gambling as someone else might get from taking a tranquilizer or having a drink. The gambling alters the person's mood and the gambler keeps repeating the behavior attempting to achieve that same effect. But just as tolerance develops to drugs or alcohol, the gambler finds that it takes more and more of the gambling experience to achieve the same emotional effect as before. This creates an increased craving for the activity, and the gambler finds they have less and less ability to resist as the craving grows in intensity and frequency.

11. Are problem gamblers usually addicted to other things too?
It is generally accepted that people with one addiction are more at risk to develop another. Some problem gamblers also find they have a problem with alcohol or drugs. This does not, however, mean that if you have a gambling problem you are guaranteed to become addicted to other things. Some problem gamblers never experience any other addiction because no other substance or activity gives them the same feeling as the gambling does. There also appears to be evidence of family patterns regarding dependency as many problem gamblers report one or both parents had a drinking and or gambling problem.

12. When do youth begin gambling?
Studies conducted worldwide found that the average problem gambler started gambling at age 10. Research shows that the earlier you start gambling, the more at risk you are to develop a gambling problem.

13. Negative consequences associated with adolescent problem gambling
Problem gambling can also negatively affect overall school performance and work activities. While youth may present with different initial symptoms than adults, they nevertheless share similar characteristics. For example, adolescent problem gamblers report a preoccupation with gambling, sacrificing school, work, parental and peer relationships in order to continue gambling.

14. Reasons for gambling  
Contrary to public opinion, money is not the only reason why adolescents gamble excessively. Rather, it appears that money is used as a vehicle which enables individuals to continue playing. When playing, adolescents with serious gambling problems report that nothing else matters and that they are able to forget about their problems. The three predominant reasons adolescents report gambling are (a) the excitement it brings, (b) enjoyment, and (c) to win money. Other reasons adolescents may gamble include peer pressure, to relieve boredom and to relieve feelings of depression.

These FAQ’s were developed from the National Council on Problem gambling (www.ncpgambling.org) and International Center for Youth Gambling Problems (www.education.mcgill.ca)