The document summarizes statistics and research on gambling and gambling addiction. It notes that 85% of Americans have gambled, with 65-80% gambling in the past year. Problem gambling is defined as an urge to gamble despite negative consequences. Pathological gambling is a clinical diagnosis involving uncontrollable gambling behavior. Research suggests genetic and neurological factors, like imbalances in dopamine and serotonin, may contribute to gambling addiction. Treatments include counseling, support groups, and some medications.

1. Josh Altman

4. Gambling Statistics
 2009: Legal Gambling market alone
generated approximately $335 Billion globally
 It has been estimated that approximately
85% of Americans have gambled at least one
time during their life
 Between ~65-80% reported having gambled
in the past year

5. When Gambling Becomes a
Problem
 What are some of the beliefs and concepts that
lead to a gambling problem?
-Gambler’s Fallacy
-Idea that continuing to play is the only way to win
back money lost
-Variable reinforcement schedule

6. Gambling Addiction
 Problem Gambling = “an urge to continuously
gamble despite harmful negative
consequences”
 The most severe form can be clinically
diagnosed as Pathological Gambling

7. Pathological Gambling
 Classified as an impulse control disorder by
DSM-IV
 It has been suggested that it be reclassified in
a new category “Addiction and Related
Disorders” in the new DSM-V

8. DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria
Five or more of the following:
 preoccupied with gambling
 Needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the
desired excitement
 Has repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling
 Restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling
 Gambles as a way of escaping from problems
 After losing money gambling, often returns another day to get even
 Lies about the extent of involvement with gambling
 Has committed illegal acts such as forgery, fraud, theft, or embezzlement
to finance gambling
 Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or
career opportunity because of gambling
 Relies on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation
caused by gambling

9. Biology behind Pathological
Gambling
 Brain Regions implicated:
 Nucleus Accumbens and Ventral Tegmental Area
(Reward and Pleasure areas)
 Orbitofronal Cortex (decision making)

10. Brain regions cont.
 Hippocampus and Amygdala (Limbic System –
Memory, learning, and emotions)

11. Neurotransmitters
 Hypothesis: Chemical Imbalances of
 Noradrinergic
 Serotonergic
 Dopaminergic
-Arousal, reward, and mood regulation
-Chemical imbalances of these systems may lead to
problems with impulsivity, difficulty with control,
and mood disorders

12. Genetic Factors
 Studies have shown a likely genetic link to
pathological gambling
 Twin study (2012): Differences in number of
times gambling could be accounted for both
by familial environment (42%) and genetic
differences (32%)
 Disordered gambling differences resulted
primarily from genetic factors

13. Specific Genes
 Dopamine Receptor Gene: D2A1 allele
 May result in deficits in dopamine reward
pathways
 Hypothesis: Leads to increased pursuing of
pleasure generating activities

14. Specific Genes: Cont.
 Serotonin Receptor Polymorphisms
 Study found that a certain genotype of the
serotonin receptor 2A (“C/C Genotype”) was
significantly associated with pathological
gambling

15. Co-Morbid Conditions
 ~64% of Pathological Gamblers have had some form of co-
morbid psychiatric disorder
 Substance Use Disorders
 Personality disorders (antisocial, borderline, narcissistic
most commonly)
 Depression
 Bipolar Disorder
 Suicide Risk
 Pathological gamblers with co-occuring mental illness were
significantly more severe with their gambling problems

16. Treatments
 12-step based programs – GA
 CBT and Counseling
 Online Peer Support Groups
 Medication
 Self-Help

17. Medication Research
 No drug currently approved specifically for
use for pathological gambling
 SSRI Paroxetine: studies have shown it is
efficient in treating people with pathological
gambling
 Nalmefene: Opiate Antagonist – Also shown
effective in reducing problematic gambling

18. Thank You!
 Questions?