The Effects of Pathological Gambling

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders categorizes pathological gambling as an impulse control disorder. The manual lists 10 characteristics of the disorder, five of which are needed to classify a gambler as "pathological." These characteristics are divided into three groups: damage, loss of control and addiction or dependence.

Generational Impact

• Children of pathological gamblers are often abused or neglected. If parents gamble excessively, their children are at higher risk of becoming problem gamblers. These children are also more likely to engage in other risky behaviors, such as substance abuse.

Domestic Violence

• Up to 50 percent of gamblers' spouses have been abused. After casinos opened in Mississippi, calls to domestic violence centers increased by 300 percent.

Depression

• Approximately three-fourths of problem gamblers suffer from major depression. This compares with about 25 percent of the general population.

Suicide

• Of all addictions, the suicide rate is highest for pathological gamblers. About 20 percent of problem gamblers have attempted suicide, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling. However, sometimes the reason for suicide is not apparent, so gambling-related suicides are probably even higher than figures indicate.

Crime

• Problem gamblers may turn to white-collar crime to try to solve their money problems. Common crimes include forgery, identity theft, employee pilfering, tax evasion and fraud. A survey of members of Gamblers Anonymous, a self-help group modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, indicated that almost one-half admitted to involvement in some type of white-collar crime.

Economic Impact

• Addicted gamblers may believe that gambling will solve their financial problems. Debts of $75,000 to $150,000 are common for problem gamblers, who often must file for bankruptcy. Gambling often takes money away from daily necessities, and spouses or other family members may need to hide cash, debit or credit cards and checkbooks from the gambler.

Divorce

• Pathological gambling exacts a toll on marriages, causing arguments about finances, broken promises and the gambling itself. In addition to verbal and physical violence, divorce is common.

Unemployment

• Pathological gambling also causes work-related issues, due to the misuse of corporate credit cards, requests for pay advances, loans from co-workers and theft of office equipment. Between 25 percent and 33 percent of gamblers attending Gamblers Anonymous report job loss due to gambling.