Pathological Gambling-Related Disorders

Over the past 10 to 15 years, there has been an increase in availability of legalized gambling options in the United States and generally all over the world. As a result of this accessibility, rates of gambling participation have also increased.
As defined by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), “gambling is placing something of value at risk, in the hopes of gaining something of greater value.” Some of the most popular forms of gambling are: betting on horse and dog races, wagering in casinos and lotteries, betting on match scores and generally sporting events and card games.
While for most people gambling is a form of entertainment and having fun, some people lose control and become addicted. Only a minority of those who gamble will meet the criteria and be diagnosed with a gambling-related disorder.
Pathological gambling is the most severe gambling-related disorder that represents a pattern of extreme and destructive gambling behavior. It is defined as “a progressive and chronic disorder that is characterized by an unrelenting failure to resist impulses to