Pathological gambling, also known as compulsive gambling, is a psychological disorder characterized by the inability to resist impulses to gamble, leading to severe personal or social consequences. In people who develop compulsive gambling, occasional gambling can lead to a gambling habit. Pathological Gambling examines all aspects of this disorder, including its causes, symptoms, treatment and therapy, and current research into the disorder.

Chapters include:

• An Overview
• Gambling and Its History in the United States
• Who Are Pathological Gamblers?
• Causes of Pathological Gambling
• Other Psychiatric and Health Issues
• Social and Legal Problems Caused by Gambling
• Treatment: Support Groups, Medication, and Therapy