So, when does gambling go from fun and harmless to problematic or pathological with serious consequences? Signs of a possible gambling problem include:

• Spending more on gambling than what is affordable
• Difficulties arising in personal relationships due to gambling
• A decrease in work performance and ambition
• Being unable to reduce or stop gambling
• Spending more and more time gambling
• Attempting to hide gambling activities
• Stealing or committing fraud to support gambling
• Asking for loans to cover gambling debts

There are different levels of gambling addiction that bring with them various associated issues. Where social or recreational gambling is accepted and seen as a fun, harmless distraction, problem gambling can quickly consume and even destroy lives.

We take a closer look at four different types of gamblers below:

• Professional Gamblers
This rarest type of gambler is worth discussing here because they exist almost at the opposite end of the gambling spectrum. Their exposure can lull people into believing that gambling is more lucrative than risky. These gamblers have extraordinary levels of self-control, patience, and frustration tolerance. The risk of addiction is extremely low as it can reduce self-control and logic, which would almost certainly result in more losses than wins.

• Relieve and Escape Gamblers
These gamblers typically use gambling as a coping mechanism to deal with depression, anxiety, and other causes of stress. As a result, their judgment can be diminished, and so large monetary losses can be incurred in a short amount of time. This, in turn, can exacerbate the underlying emotional issues in the long term, triggering even more amounts of stress and struggle. This type of gambling can become problematic if long hours are spent gambling to cope with emotional needs while struggling to maintain family obligations, work, and friendships.

• Problematic Gamblers
This type of gambling can lead to performance issues at work due to a lack of focus and gambling replacing long-term ambition and goals. Problematic gamblers also face financial problems when money allocated for other things is used to gamble or funds are used in an attempt to generate a sustainable income – something that almost never works. Relationship strains invariably also develop due to excessive time spent gambling, and negative gambling-related experiences extend to at least one other person in their life.

• Pathological Gamblers
Pathological Gamblers suffer from a gambling disorder that is classified by the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) as an addictive disorder. Also referred to as Compulsive Gamblers, their lives are entirely consumed by gambling and money. They have an uncontrollable urge to keep gambling despite its negative impact on their lives. This is often the most destructive and vulnerable type of gambler.