In any form compulsive gambling is a psychological problem. The gambler is unable to control their need to gamble and they are unable to rationalise the possible outcome of their actions. In extreme cases problem gambling can cause the sufferer to go to extremes of behaviour. Attempted suicide, feigned death or disappearance, even murder, are not unheard of in cases of severe compulsive or pathological gambling.

The American Psychiatric Association has defined pathological gambling as a type of mental illness known as an impulse control disorder. This categorisation is self explanatory and is based on extensive professional research conducted in the USA. As a result of this research pathological gambling has been identified as a progressive mental illness with a series of possible criteria as follows:

1. Preoccupation. The person’s thoughts are consumed with gambling. This includes planning future episodes, considering what has gone on previously and fantasising about possible outcomes.

2. Tolerance. Concerning the all-important buzz or rush described by many addicts. As the addiction develops the person requires a more intense gambling experience (more dangerous / with higher stakes) in order to attain the feeling.

3. Withdrawal. As with substance abuse the person is unable to stop gambling without adverse physical or psychological effects.

4. Escape. Gambling is used as a means of escaping from actual problems or from an unfulfilling emotional life.

5. Chasing. An inability to accept the consequences of gambling. The person will always attempt to chase losses and perpetuate the gambling experience.

6. Lying. The person deceives themselves and other about their gambling habits.

7. Loss of control. The person cannot control their actions in order to curtail the gambling.

8. Illegal acts. A willingness to break the law in order to continue gambling.

9. Risked significant relationship. The person continues to gamble despite the possibility of breaking important emotional ties, familial relations or contracts of employment.

10. Bailout. Asking for financial assistance to facilitate gambling.

11. Biological basis. A lack of the neurological chemical norepinephrine. Norepinrphrine is secreted in response to stress or arousal and pathological gamblers acts in response to a lack of it.