Mansi Aggarwal asked:


The coming age has brought with it numerous new pathological addictions, one of them being addiction to gambling. Pathological gambling was conferred with the status of a disease by the American Psychiatric Association back in 1980s. Robert L. Custer, M.D., is a pioneer in this field of problem gambling.

People who fall prey to this addiction are usually those who secure an income by means of blackjack, poker or other gambling activities. They are professional players who visit casinos not for fun sake, but to employ their skills and earn.

Based on their way of playing and the driving force behind it, gamblers can be categorized. For example, while professional gamblers are skillful and good in their game a casual gamblers plays merely for recreation.

The symptoms of gambling addiction are usually hard to identify. Since this disease is different from other substance related addictions like drug or alcohol abuse, the indications of this sickness are subtle. The nearest possible way in which the symptoms of this addiction can be stated is through the “Custer three Phase Model”. According tot his model, the gambling addiction can be characterized by three phases: the wining phase, the losing phase and the desperation phase.

In the wining stage, the compulsive gambler is ecstatic and overexcited with this earnings and is unwilling to quit gambling. Therefore, the addict usually increases his intensity of gambling . However, losing being the other half of gambling, his wining streak is short-lived. Nonetheless, recurrent losses do not deter him as he wants to win again and get his money back. Addicted gamblers suffer from financial stress, loss of sleep, and mental fatigue in this phase. They face problems at the family front. The patient also tends to borrow huge amounts or avail some money making schemes. As the gambler continues to face loss on every alternate day, he finds it difficult to stay away from gambling. Compulsive gamblers may resort to any means to raise funds for their obsession. They become desperate, with their debts becoming unmanageable. Loss of jobs, fight with friends and family, committing crimes or suicidal tendencies define this phase.

The question as to why does one gamble, can not be answered in definitive terms. One of the dominant reasons is the mental health of the gambler. For some people gambling serves as a n escape route from their lives. A compulsive gambler plays for kicks. He is just unable to stay away from it. Many researchers also blame the easy accessibility to casinos. The government and its lottery fund is also widely condemned.

Treatment programs and centers exist to treat this disease. Regular therapy and counseling is an effective and a widely used technique to cure this disease. Various support groups have also cropped up, where the addicts share their experiences and strengthen each others desire to quit gambling. Some groups that fund such programs include casinos and state lotteries. Some casinos lay stress on responsible gambling and have taken steps to make the people aware about his addiction.

However the first step, before undertaking nay treatment would be to acknowledge this disease. With very slight symptoms and effects this addiction is difficult to catch and acknowledge. Hence it helps to be aware to act wisely.

Terry Ross asked:


Gambling is one of those increasingly common marriage problems that are often over looked despite over 50% of compulsive gamblers having been divorced. As with many bad habits, gambling has a real negative impact on family life with the habit often leading to serious financial problems as well as neglect of partners and children and sometimes proving to be a catalyst for abuse.

The National Gambling Impact Study Commission reported that more than 15 million Americans have a serious gambling problem often generated from boredom, a need for change, the adrenalin rush or as a result of marital or family conflicts. Gambling is becoming an ever increasing marriage problem and it’s a bad habit that has serious consequences with regard to family and personal life.

Very few people have any kind of understanding of the devastating impact that the gambling habit can have. Gambling is one bad habit that if it grabs a hold it takes over your entire life, wrecks you marriage, alienates your family, leaves you in financial ruin and destroys your life. Like alcohol abuse, gambling is often a root cause for domestic violence and child abuse. Gambling starts as just a bad habit, something that you do when you’ve got some spare time but it quickly worms its way into your routine and becomes and all encompassing and hard to break addiction that rules your life.

The escalating habit has been made worse with gambling becoming even more common as a result of the onset of internet gambling. There are now around 1,700 gambling websites all vying for business and just waiting to encourage more and more people into the regular gambling routine. Online gambling is a really bad habit to get into with the 24/7 access from the comfort of your own home, the loss of the sense of reality when gambling away money and the ease at which the gamblers can add more funds.

Research has shown that online gamblers are more likely have the most serious gambling habits / addictions and the families of those addicted suffering a greater intrusion into their everyday lives.

Howard Keith asked:


Over the past five years addictions to gambling have grown at an accelerated rate. Not only adults, but teenagers are gambling with out realizing the consequences. Most States including Connecticut have created agreements with Indian reservations for self gain. The states are now realizing the negative impact the Indian casino reservations are having on their taxpayers.

Gambling is a silent addiction. Most people can go years with out anyone ever discovering that they gambled. Besides the local Casino’s people can now even gamble online.

With today’s modern technology, if you want to gamble you can so long as you have the resources. Once your resources are depleted and you’re in debt, you will begin to seek help. This is where many states are taking notice due to people claiming bankruptcy, not paying their state taxes, getting caught committing petty crimes and even suicide.

The I Stopped Gambling So Can You website continues to receive alarming emails from friends family and the compulsive gambler. The site was developed to help people associated with compulsive gambling addiction.

The alarming rate in the rise of addicted individuals has caused the states to rethink what they are doing and how to help this segment of the population. The individuals who sought help through various programs now know they are not alone. The unfortunate part is in most cases they are starting all over. If the States would reach out and help these people then the outcomes may be different.

If a person goes into a bar and is apparently drunk, the bartenders are not going to serve this person any alcoholic drinks and may even recommend a cab. At a casino, people use the cash machines until they are unable to take out any more money. People cash checks and even take cash advances from their credit cards, but no one at the casinos is willing to step up to the plate and help these people out.

I have talked with hundreds of people who excessively gambled. These people knew they were addicted and always planned to spend a specific amount of money. After being at the casinos with all the lights, bells and whistles they fell into a trance and no longer had any control.

Once the gambler leaves the casino reality sets in. They now realize they’ve lost a lot of money. They ask themselves: How did this happen? They themselvesthey will never due this again only to repeat the same behavior patterns over and over until they hit bottom and lose everything. These people were spending anywhere from $100.00 to $5,000.00 per week on their addiction. In a majority of these situations they realized they lost everything. Even after filing bankruptcy they still owed a significant amount in back taxes.

The State of Connecticut receives revenues from their two Indian Run Casinos. If a taxpayer wins a Jackpot equal to or greater than $1,200.00 and resides in Connecticut they will be subject to Connecticut State Tax. The Internal Revenue Service lets you deduct your winnings against your losses but not in Connecticut.

The various states are now realizing they created a major problem, but are not willing to discuss it openly. Various news stations have been reporting the negative impact, but due to the revenues generated, no one is willing to step up to the plate and help these people out.

Until the local authorities take action, many lives will continue to be destroyed.

Future articles will address the compulsive gambler, gambling addiction and a search to find a solution to this growing problem.

You may find the following websites helpful:

I Stopped Gambling So Can You
http://www.istoppedgambling.com/

Compulsive Gambling Addiction

http://www.compulsive-gambling-addiction.org/

Mansi Aggarwal asked:


A lot many of us know something or the other about gambling, must have at some point or the other have indulged in it in some or the other form. A trip to Las Vegas takes us right into the heart of the matter although the start might be as simple as a game of poker with friends while waiting for the school bus. However there are still a lot of things you still might know abut the game – addiction to gambling is just one of those things.

According to stats from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, one percent or about two million Americans, struggle from addiction to gambling. Pathological gambling is defined as “the inability to resist impulses to gamble, leading to severe personal or social consequences” gambling addiction thus is very similar to any other addiction, be it nicotine, caffeine, drugs, alcohol.

Gambling addiction has several aspects related to it and is pretty complicated by nature with both psychological and individual nature clubbed along with them are socioeconomic and political too.

People addicted to gambling are not a very uncommon sight and when looked around for you may come across them in pretty much abundance.
Some particular symptoms may in effect point at such tendencies, while this can also be a “in the family” thing.

Gambling is not a straight forward thing for sure. It has more then one type to it.

Atlantic city and Las Vegas are filled with zillion ways of gambling which shall not only rob you out once but ensure you return to it to get robbed again and again.

The most popular ways of gambling are Card games like poker and black jack, which can really run long way even with a 20 $ bill, these games are relatively easier to understand and play.

Then we have the Slot machines/video poker. These machines involve pure luck, you have it or you don’t you can play on and on while winning nothing while your friend just might hit the jack pot on his first try. It’s all in the luck.
Another common thing loved by gamblers is sports betting. Played without any special skill, machines and tickets, your own poll can be built with friends and co-workers. Bets are placed on all sorts of games, from national sports to other smaller events.

Lottery requires buying a ticket in hopes of making big money. Addiction can be detected among people by one or a combination of these: preoccupation, increased tolerance towards gambling, withdrawal, escape from the world outside, chasing losses, compulsive lying, loss of control, illegal acts, risking most significant relationships, and finally bailout. Gamblers turn toward it due to some or the other problem.

These are classified as action problem gamblers, escape problem gambler, internet problem gambler, and the stock market problem gambler.
Like any other addiction this too has its own repercussions, be it social or economic and the addicted people need a lot of support.

There are again many ways of going about the problem, from talking to parents, counsellors or friends, to joining a support group. Another method is the Gamblers Anonymous which employs a 12 step recovery program aimed at helping these gamblers.

Adel Awwad asked:


The Chinese love of gambling is well known; yet what is less well-known is that there are few casinos operating anywhere in China, including Hong Kong. The government of China has a somewhat negative attitude towards casinos, and gambling more generally, and discourages it wherever possible. Therefore, Hong Kong casinos get around this official prohibition in a number of ingenious ways.

Although there are no officially sanctioned Hong Kong casinos, gambling in Hong Kong is actually remarkably easy. The most obvious method of gambling is to go to nearby Macao; the former Portuguese enclave is only a short hydrofoil ride away, less than an hour from Hong Kong. In Macao, gambling is not only permitted, but it is the prime attraction for tourists visiting from Hong Kong and elsewhere. There is an official age limit of 21, and passports are required for the journey, but otherwise, Hong Kong gamblers will find the trip to Macao more than worthwhile – always provided they win, of course!

There are a large number of casinos in Macao that cater to every type of gambler, whether they are playing for high stakes or low, and however dressed. China is well aware that many people come to Macao for the gambling, including thousands of tourists from Hong Kong, and so China is happy to permit the sport to continue. Indeed, Chinese people are well known for their addiction to gambling of all sorts, and consequently, the casinos are almost always full.

Another aspect of the Hong Kong casino scene is offshore gambling, which allows Hong Kong tourists to gamble on board specially appointed cruise ships and boats in international waters off the coast of Hong Kong, thus getting around the rules that prevent the existence of Hong Kong casinos. Publicity for these cruises rarely features gambling very prominently, but nonetheless, there are many operators offering voyages that include the opportunity to gamble at leisure in an onboard casino. Of course, these journeys also offer the chance to enjoy spectacular views of Hong Kong harbor when entering and leaving the former colony. As a result, these voyages are extremely well subscribed to and growing in popularity every year. They are an enjoyable addition to the usual itinerary of the visitor to Hong Kong, and accordingly, there are plenty of opportunities for tourists visiting Hong Kong to enjoy the excitement and glamor of visiting a casino and indulging in this most Chinese of pastimes.

Eddie Tobey asked:


Gambling is addictive, and often leads to financial trouble. Thousands of people fall into gambling debt, and this is where gambling debt help is needed.

The people who are unfortunate enough to find themselves falling into gambling debt should seek some professional gambling debt help. These gambling debt counselors are experienced professionals who will gladly help the gambler to overcome his various financial problems. They can often help these people get out of the debt trap to start a new life. They teach them the right procedures in which to repay their creditors, while saving as much money as possible in the process. They can offer gambling debt help by consulting the various creditors and getting them to lower their interest rates. This in turn lowers the amount of money the gambler has to repay.

However, as gambling is very addictive, gamblers need not only financial help, but also personal counseling to overcome this addiction. Many gamblers in debt have tried Gamblers Anonymous for help, only to come out of it when they run into friends and co-workers at the meetings. As gambling is a private addiction, they cannot face known people with this addiction.

With the Internet, there are many private chat rooms with self-help manuals available online to provide psychological help to compulsive gamblers who want to beat their addiction. With a search engine, compulsive gamblers can easily find treatment that best fits their position.

So gamblers, with the assistance of professional gambling debt help individuals, can overcome gambling debt and get on with their lives.

Barry Lycka asked:


There are more and more gambling opportunities in the world than in the past. With the advancements in technology there have been more opportunities on the internet in forms of online casinos, or gambling rings. Gambling addiction starts with the individual. There are many who will say that it is not their fault they became addicted, but they are only searching for a scapegoat. Gambling addiction is defined as the inability to restrain yourself from gambling causing you to reap the consequences personally and sometimes professionally. However, there is treatment for such a cause. Some treatments to help with gambling addiction are:  

1. Gamblers Anonymous- This is a program that is similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. It is a twelve-step program and is free to obtain recovery from the gambling addiction. The program allows you to rely on a “higher power”. With the extra help, the gamblers anonymous course helps gambling addiction victims conquer their addiction in a healthy manner.  

2. Treatment Centers- For those who are unable to stick to the gamblers anonymous program, there are treatment centers that isolate you from the initial threat of gambling. In the treatment centers, you can get rid of your addiction in a less conventional way. With the different methods that treatment centers offer will allow you to see the addiction side of your problem.  

3. Environment Withdrawal- The final method in the gambling addiction treatment is without treatment centers and gamblers anonymous. This is through withdrawing yourself from the temptation of gambling. When you do this treatment, it is hard on you. Quitting at once is not always the best method to take. There are times which this is the last resort.  

Gambling addiction is not to be taken lightly. It is an addiction that can cause dire consequences that are not always easily mended or not even at all. When you have an addiction, you need to remember to have a support team that is there to help you along the way. Surrounding yourself with people who support your addiction is never the best idea for you. Have people who know how to stay away from that certain type of addiction and introduce other alleys for you to do. When you overcome your addiction, you can feel better about yourself. Overcoming anything not only makes you feel good about yourself, it also boosts the way you view others. Get down to the problem of the gambling addiction and find the right treatment that works for you. In doing so, you will not lose those who you feel close to.  

Shanat Kuphur asked:


Gambling is a part of any game wherein money is a medium of exchange and bets are laid on either of the teams. The person whose team wins gets a sum of money as the luring cash prize. Though the act of gambling is legal it requires a license. Any person may do gambling however if the host who is the source of laying bets does not have a license to run the same then he may be punished by the law. In many cases the gambling addiction starts from a small victory i.e. when a person gambles he may either win or may lose, now if a person wins there may be greed of winning again and the person may lay a bet once again and if the same person wins there is a possibility that the person may tend to bet again and again. Though after a few chances of luck and winning the person may even lose but since the person has won for many times there is a hope within the person that he may win again and in spite of losing again and again the person still continues to gamble.

Now if a person loses the amount at the very first chance there may be a small chance the person may lay a bet again just to win the money that was laid in during the gamble. Even if the person may lose every time there may be a possibility that the person may play until he sees victory. This is not just a day’s work, then on if the person is a winner there is a possibility that the person may get addicted to gambling and may start to gamble every day.

There have been instances where one has used all the resources in order to gamble, gold, money and at times even houses are lost in such addiction and by the time this is realized the person is already bankrupt. Many people have lost everything and still have the hope to win and this is when the real problem starts as one may also start to borrow or lend money and then gamble, at the end they lose all and also go into debt. It is very rare that one may win always in gambling and hence there is a very less chance of people winning.

The gambling addiction has ruined many people’s lives and families and hence to keep control of ones gambling habits or to even stop the same study has come up with a brilliant plan. There are compact discs available for purchase over the Internet and one may easily learn to keep this addiction in check. All one needs to do is download the compact discs and listen to it at their own convenience and perform all the actions that are seen or heard through the compact discs. These discs are very helpful for many people as they do not have to spend a lot and also they get ready and quit gambling. Hypnosis prepares you to be strong within and helps you combat your inner urge to gamble your money, wealth and happiness.

R Vial asked:


No doubt nothing can keep a pace with online gambling when it comes to having unlimited loads of fun and exhilaration. The thrill of earning easy money and an unproblematic technique to bag-in riches and affluence grabs the attention of all at the online version of the game. The conventional casinos maintained their bounds to the affluent and high class people of the society. The geographical restraints and its inability to afford kept a number of people astray from trying their luck in the real of in the atmosphere of a land-based casino.

The online upheaval has set gambling apart from conventional casinos to soothe of enjoying all the pleasures at home. It has paved a new path for experiencing the fun and the exhilaration of the land-based casino while staying at home. The constant increase of popularity graph of the online version of the game and has accomplished a great success in being one of the biggest revenue generators amongst all of the online industries known.

Not only the online gamers have the enjoyable experience of playing the conventional games that are offered in a land-based casino, but the variety of games that are offered in the online version of the games is also a very big reason due to which the online casino is grabbing the attention of the gamblers. Apart from this, the online gamblers do have the choice of selecting the time of play, till what extent to play and a number of things like this which makes another reason for the rising popularity of the online casinos.

The biggest advantage that people can benefit themselves from the online version of the games is that the free trial of games that they offer, which enables one to practice till he thinks he is ready to the fullest to start gambling with real money online. Likewise, he eventually gets to boost up his confidence and become a pro in the game.

Before getting into the game, in case of an online casino one must ensure that he is gaming with a registered online gambling website. In order to have detailed information about the creditworthiness of the website one must compulsorily check out reputed gambling portals.

Parting words of wisdom state, people into the political concerns are increasingly concerned are apprehensive about the greater than ever dependence to gambling, due to its easy approach by means of internet. They fervently do not take no for an answer for putting a ban or a legislation to stop the bane of online gambling.

A number of states and countries have framed legislation holding Online Casino Gambling against the law. For that reason, before you risk at an Online Casino, it is stands to be utterly important that you check out your local laws.

Sacha Tarkovsky asked:


In part 1 of Baccarat Gambling we learned the game and rules, now it’s time to look at how you can win!

In part 2 of Baccarat Gambling we will examine the odds, best bets, and some strategy. The important thing in baccarat gambling, as in any game of chance, is to win and collect money.

Here we show you how, and Baccarat gambling can become very profitable!

Baccarat is played with 6 or 8 decks of cards and chances on a hand dealt from a full shoe of 6 or 8 decks is as follows:

With 6 decks a banker can win 0.46, a player 0.45, and a tie 0.09

With 8 decks a banker can win 0.46, a player 0.44, and a tie 0.09

The casino will take a commission on the winning Banker hand (either 4% or 5%) and payouts on tie bets (8:1 or 9:1). This yeilds the following casino advantages:

With a 6 deck shoe, and a 5% commission the advantage on a banker bet is 1.056%. With a 4% commission it drops to 0.6%. On a player bet is 1.24%. On a tie bet with 9:1 odds its 14.93% and on 8:1 odds its 14.43%. An 8 deck shoe yields the about the same advantage.

Forget card counting, as the casino will shuffle after each play. Also there is not much in the way of strategy, as the game follows so many automatic rules.

Common Sense Strategy

Never bet on the tie. The odds are overwhelmingly in the house’s favor Also, as the bank will win in the end, why not bet the banker’s hand. Even after paying the commission, you still have odds in your favor. So bet with the bank.

Look for games that use the 6 deck shoe, and has a 4% commission. You might find this a bit boring, but it works and you will win.

Play and Loss Management

You know now the best bet, but not how much to bet. This is also important. In Baccarat Gambling, it is crucial.

You must decide to have self-control. A majority of players often wager more than they can afford to lose. Don’t be one of them. Follow the three simple rules below:.

1. Before you start Baccarat Gambling you MUST decide how much you are going to loose. Write it down, stick to it. That is your limit.

2. Budget the money you have and allocate just so much to each round of play

3. Each time you win, allocate a percentage to the opposite pocket. Leave it there. Don’t deviate and that money is out of play. A smart player will put ALL of a winning hand out of play.

For example you have decided $1,000 to wager and to lose. You will bet the game betting the table minimum (let’s say $50). Put your winnings as per rule 3, out of play, After the 20th round you’ll only have played the $1,000, However, the money out of play, your winninng are waiting for you.

This strategy works for Baccarat Gambling, and is the strategy of the winner. If you leave with only small winnings, you are a WINNER.

You must remember that. Forget it, spend you winnings, don’t follow your strategy, and chances are you will leave broken and a loser.

Baccarat Gambling can be profitable and fun, but you must be disciplined and strong.

Winning at baccarat gambling is easy if you follow the above advice – good luck!