Addiction: When Gambling Becomes a Problem

While most people enjoy casino gambling, sports betting, lottery and bingo playing for the fun and excitement it provides, others may experience gambling as an addictive and distractive habit. Statistics show that while 85 percent of the adult population in the US enjoys some type of gambling every year, between 2 and 3 percent of will develop a gambling problem and 1 percent of them are diagnosed as pathological gamblers.



Where can you draw the line between harmless gambling to problem gambling? How can you tell if you or your friend are compulsive gamblers? Here you can find answers to these questions and other questions regarding problem gambling and gambling addiction.



What is the Meaning of Problem Gambling?

Problem gambling or compulsive gambling is defined as an uncontrollable urge to gamble despite the destructive effect of gambling on the gamblers life and despite feelings of guilt and remorse. Problem gambling tends to have a negative effect on the gamblers financial state, relationships and daily life. Severe cases of problem gambling can be defined as pathological gambling.



Am I a Compulsive Gambler?

1) Do you gamble until your last penny runs out?

2) Do you gamble to win back your former losses or debts?

3) Did you ever had to borrow money to continue gamble?

4) Did your gambling habit ever made you lie to your friends or family?

5) Did you ever skip work or other obligation to gamble?

6) Do you tend to gamble to forget about your personal problems or to celebrate happy occasions?

7) Does gambling have a negative affect on your daily life or relationships?



If you have answered yes on at least one of the questions listed above, then you have a problem.



Can Anyone Become a Compulsive Gambler?

Theoretically, yes. Any gambler can develop gambling problem regardless to the type of gambling he is occupied with, the amount of money and time he is spending on gambling. Researches show that slot machines that can be found in bars and convenient stores are the most addictive type of gambling activity, while lottery draws and bingo games are located on the other end of the scale. Gambling addiction is an emotional problem; its symptoms, causes and treatments are similar to any other form of addiction.



How Can I treat Gambling Addiction?

1) Group Therapy:

Gamblers Anonymous offers a 12 step self help program similar to the one offered to alcohol addicts in Alcoholics Anonymous. Group therapy also offers gambling addicts advice and support from professional counselors and other gambling addicts in different phases of their recovery process. Gambler Anonymous centers are available in more than 1,200 locations statewide.



2) Individual Therapy:

Cognitive or behavior therapy can help gambling addicts to identify their unaware thinking and acting patterns, which led them to gamble compulsively, and to replace them with controllable and healthier ways of thinking.



3) Psychiatric Medication:

It has recently been proven that antidepressant medications from the family of SSRIs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can be affective in treatment of gambling addicts.

30 Fun Free Things To Do In Vegas That Don't Involve Gambling

Copyright 2006 Karin Manning

Almost everyone comes to Vegas to gamble. However, there are a heck of a lot of ways to entertain yourself in Vegas without gambling.

Here are 30 fun free things to do in Las Vegas, just for starters.

ALADDIN - They have a rain display where water falls from the ceiling into a reflecting pool below.

ANDERSON DAIRY - Dairy Tour

ARTS DISTRICT, DOWNTOWN - First Fridays

BALLY’S HOTEL - Light, water and sound show

BARBARY COAST HOTEL - Big Elvis

BASS PRO SHOPS OUTDOOR WORLD - the layout of this store is similar to a natural history museum. An extra special feature is the live bass aquarium.

BASS PRO SHOPS - Fishing demonstrations

BELLAGIO - They have an elaborate fountain show on every half hour and can be seen from the street or by standing on the casino’s front porch. 1200 nozzles and 4500 lights are used. The Bellagio is also famous for its botanical garden. There are over 7500 flowers, trees and plants displayed and the atrium is changed six to eight times a year.

BELLAGIO - Stunning Bellagio hotel lobby

BELLAGIO - Chocolate fountain

BONNIE SPRINGS PETTING ZOO/OLD NEVADA - Less than half an hour west of Vegas you will find this extensive free petting zoo though donations are accepted gratefully! The whole place is like a recreation of the wild west of Nevada. There is a mining town (small fee), plus a miniature locomotive.

BOULDER CITY - Hoover dam

CAESARS PALACE - Caesar and Cleopatra walk around inside waiting for you to quiz them about historical events. There is also a circular aquarium at the far end. You can take a free tour every weekday to find out how the fish tank works and what the employees do to keep the fish happy.

CAESARS PALACE FORUM SHOPS - Every hour two fountains come to life. There are two shows. The first show features Bacchanal and the second show features Neptune. Very popular and crowded. To easily slip out watch near the back of the crowd. The show starts promptly on the hour.

CAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER - Movies and popcorn.

CANNON AVIATION MUSEUM - This is located at the McCarran International Airport. There is a large exhibit about the aviation history of Las Vegas.

CHINA DATE RANCH - This is a small working farm with a huge selection of fresh dates and baked goods. The date palms have brightly coloured petticoat skirts which keep the birds away and the dates happy.

CHINATOWN - Just like many Chinatowns around the world. A great experience and lots of fun.

CIRCUS CIRCUS - The AdventureDome is free to walk around in though rides cost. The theme here is the Grand Canyon. From 11am to 12pm, every 20 minutes, a different circus act performs on the midway above the casino.

COFFEE ROASTERS OF LAS VEGAS - Find out everything you wanted to know about tea and coffee here. There are tours and classes - tours are free - and you also get to enjoy a free sample.

DESERT DEMONSTRATION GARDEN - A display of hundreds of desert plants and explaining how desert plants grow in the desert.

DESERT PASSAGE MALL - Harbor rainstorm

DESERT PASSAGE SHOPS - Entertainers

DON PABLO’S CIGAR COMPANY - Cigar Factory Tour

ED ROMAN GUITARS - Guitar museum

ETHEL M CHOCOLATES - now who doesn’t like chocolate? They have a great tour showing how they make fudge, chocolate squares and more. The address is 2 Cactus Drive Garden and their site is www.ethelm.com. At the end you’ll also get a free piece of chocolate.

EXCALIBUR - Aimed at children there are Court Jester performances and medieval acts

FASHION SHOW MALL - Fashion shows

FISHER SPACE PEN COMPANY - This pen has been on every single manned space flight since 1968. 711 Yucca Street, Boulder City.

FLAIR BARTENDER SHOWS - at various Vegas locations