Repeated losses pull the gambler further and further behind and usually results in accumulating debts.They gamble their income, savings, or money from investments. They tend to bet increasing amounts in a belief that higher stakes will yield higher returns in order to recoup losses. They begin to chase their losses, believing they must return to gambling as soon as possible to win back their losses.

They think only of gambling and become more irritable, restless and withdrawn. During this phase, gamblers tend to gamble alone, experience prolonged losing episodes, and their home life starts to be effected. The longer one gambles, the greater the likelihood of losing. This phase contributes to an increasing commitment to gamble, as gamblers feel excited when gambling and increase the amounts of their bets. Gamblers experience frequent winning which leaves them with unreasonable optimism that their winning will continue and an attitude that gambling is an easy and quick way of “earning” additional income.

Individuals who win at gambling during their early stages of gambling involvement will be more likely to continue gambling and experience difficulties related to their gambling involvement. Most problem or pathological gamblers pass through these phases. Researchers have identified the progression of gambling as including three phases: the winning phase, the losing phase and the desperation phase. In most people it begins slowly and grows until the gambler loses control. Gambling addiction is a progressive condition. People’s motivation to carry on gambling despite persistent losses differentiates “social” or “no problem” gamblers from problem gamblers and pathological gamblers. Research has shown that 70 to 90% of adults gamble sometime in their lives, but fewer people become problem or pathological gamblers.

Reasons that may explain why people gamble include: to escape from painful life circumstances, demonstrating self worth, rebelling, trying to beat the odds, finding relief from boredom, passing time, having fun, modulating negative mood states and finding social acceptance. horse races, greyhounds), gaming machines, lotteries and internet gambling. Forms of gambling include casino gambling (e.g., roulette, black jack), pari-mutuels (e.g. Gambling Counselling Sydney CBD & St Leonards – Gambling is a popular recreational activity involving people of all ages, gender and socio-economic classes.

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