Pathological Gambling

For most people, gambling is a social activity done with family or friends for recreation, and lasts for a limited time. An acceptable amount of money that can be lost is predetermined and that amount is adhered to. For these individuals gambling is a recreational event . However, recent studies show that about 2.5 million Americans are pathological gamblers and another 3 million Americans are problem gamblers. Broadening the diagnostic criteria 15 million Americans adults are at risk for problem gambling. Legalized gambling is available through multiple forms from soft gambling (lotteries and bingo) to resort casinos, urban/suburban casinos, race tracks, the stock market, sports betting, and the newest form of ultra-convenient gambling (interactive television, mobile phone, or internet gambling). Illegal gambling is harder to pin down. A few decades......