Pathological Gamblers and Their Obsession

Paper Summary:

This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the topic of compulsive or pathological gambling. Specifically, it discusses pathological gamblers and why they do not gamble for entertainment or retreatist purposes, but rather to try to chase their losses and beat the machine or the game they are playing.

From the Paper:

"How do people become pathological gamblers? Most experts agree that pathological gambling usually begins with a significant gaming win. These experts note, "These windfalls self-gratify the player's perception of competence and power, whereas losses are perceived as circumstances of chance" (Barker and Britz 115). Thus, most pathological gamblers begin with social gambling, but graduate to more activity after they win a significant amount. The authors continue, "Graduation to the 'losing' phase is punctuated with periods of deceptive activity--designed to elicit funds to replenish depleted accounts and provide capital to 'chase' monies lost (Barker and Britz 115). Most experts agree this "chasing" theory is also a key to the activity of most compulsive gamblers. Susan Fisher notes it in her essay "The Pull of the Fruit Machines," and the NCPG notes it on their Web site. Pathological gamblers lose so much money they are continually "chasing" their losses, and sadly, what they win is never enough to make up the difference, so they continue their behavior."

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