From the website of the American Psychiatric Association, psychiatry.org, which publishes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the Mental Disorders.
A diagnosis of gambling disorder requires at least four of the following during the past year:
- Frequent thoughts about gambling (such as reliving past gambling or planning future gambling)
- Need to gamble with increasing amounts to achieve the desired excitement.
- Repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back on or stop gambling.
- Restlessness or irritability when trying to cut down or stop gambling.
- Gambling when trying to escape from problems or negative mood or stress.
- After losing an item of value by gambling, feeling the need to continue to get even. (This is referred to as “chasing” one’s losses.)
- Often gambling when feeling distressed.
- After losing money gambling, often returning to get even. (This is referred to as “chasing” one’s losses.)
- Lying to hide the extent of gambling involvement.
- Losing important opportunities such as a job or school achievements or close relationships due to gambling.
- Relying on others to help with money problems caused by gambling
People with gambling disorder can have periods where symptoms subside. The gambling may not seem a problematic during periods that are between those of more severe symptoms.
Younger age and male gender may be risk factors but symptoms for gambling disorder could begin at any age. Men are more likely to start gambling at a younger age compared to women but women can progress to problem gambling much faster. Trauma and social inequality, particularly in women, may also be risk factors. Low income, unemployment, and poverty are also linked to Gambling disorder.
The increase in the number of people with gambling problems has shown to be linked to the increase in the availability of gambling opportunities.