Pathological gambling: Who gains from others' losses?

Gambling is a popular activity across most cultures and throughout history. Overall, gambling all over the world is going through a resurrection during the past decades and becoming a legitimate and socially acceptable form of entertainment. The total casino gambling market grew from USD100 billion in 2006 to USD117 billion in 2010. This market is expected to rise from $117.6 billion in 2010 to $182.8 billion in 2015. Today, millions of families throughout the nation suffer from the effects of problem and pathological gambling. As with other addictive disorders, those who suffer from problem or pathological gambling engage in behavior that is destructive to themselves, their families, their work, and even their communities. The problems include depression, abuse, divorce, homelessness, and suicide, in addition to the individual economic problems. Today, pathological gambling is understood as a complex, multidimensional phenomenon. Current research points out biological, psychological, and social factors are all relevant in the development of problematic levels of gambling. Prevalence surveys indicate that only a small proportion (<10 %) of individuals who have gambling disorders seek formal treatment. Accepted treatment strategies combine pharmacological and psychological intervention with long-term follow-up.