The American Psychiatric Association first recognized pathological gambling as a mental disorder in 1980. They have now labeled it an impulse control disorder. The DSM, a manual the APA uses to classify mental disorders, lists criteria for a pathological gambler. After losing money gambling, the player often returns the next day to get even. The problem gambler lies to family members or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling.
Problem gamblers commit forgery, fraud, theft, and embezzlement to finance gambling.
Video poker machine With the rise of Indian casinos and the recent surge of online gambling those within the psychiatric and treatment community say increases in gambling problems is already on the rise. O'Hare said she is worried about the explosion of online gambling. The pace at which someone could get into serious trouble gambling is scary. It is instant access with little control. Someone can blow their life's savings in one sitting.