What is Gambling Addiction?

Gambling addiction is a kind of a mental disorder based on impulse control problem. It is also sometimes referred to as compulsive gambling or pathological gambling. This disorder mostly affects people who engage in gambling activities such as betting on sports, playing poker, slot machines and even buying lotto tickets. Around 2%-5% of people are diagnosed with gambling addiction majority of which are in the United States. An interesting thing to note is that the rate of the disorder is highest in women, which now comprise 25% of the individuals with pathological gambling. Another form of gambling addiction is the problem gambling, which mostly involves five symptoms whereas Binge gambling is another subset of pathological gambling. However, all these disorders are different from the general gambling addiction, which is characterized mostly by excessive gambling behavior on a regular basis by the person coupled with persistent thoughts about gambling at times even when the person is not engaged in any kind of gambling activity. If you are also one of those people who think about gambling every moment, then it is better to get yourself checked to know whether you have developed gambling addiction. Sports gambling is not to be taken lightly. If you are going to bet, research your online sportsbook before you deposit.