Compulsive Gambling

Compulsive gambling or problem gambling affects millions of individuals and families world-wide and is characterised by DSM-5 as:

Persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behaviour leading to clinically significant impairment or distress as indicated by the individual exhibiting four (or more) of the following in a 12-month period:

• Needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement.
• Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling.
• Has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling.
• Is often preoccupied with gambling (e.g., having persistent thoughts of reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble).
• Often gambles when feeling distressed (e.g., helpless, guilty, anxious, depressed).
• After losing money gambling, often returns another day to get even (“chasing” one’s losses).
• Lies to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling.
• Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of gambling.
• Relies on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling.
• The gambling behaviour is not better explained by a manic episode.

(Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (section 312.31)