Over 14% of Spread Betters Problem Gamblers

Interesting statistic from here: http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/UploadDocs/publications/Document/Prevalence Survey final.pdf (see page 97) - a higher percentage of spread betters than any other form of gamblers (by quite a high margin, and the second highest is betting exchange users) are "Problem Gamblers".

Thoughts? The first thing that strikes me is the relatively low value of n compared to the other forms of gambling... I'm not sure if "Delta" is the right term here but it seems that a single problem gambler would make a 2% difference...

What are the signs of a problem gambler versus someone who is simply addicted versus someone who's still in the early stages of development?

I am constantly checking myself to make sure I'm not just addicted.

It's in that document somewhere (DSM criteria).

I think a looser but more helpful definition from a trading point of view would be someone who would be making consistent high profits (if you ignore incidents X, Y and Z, which were exceptions).

Sorry, got bored reading it.

To be honest I only read the summary... Just a habit I picked up when a student to reference the biggest document available, makes you look like you did some work

From Wiki:

Pathological gambling is now defined as persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior meeting at least five of the following criteria, as long as these behaviors are not better explained by a manic episode:

• Preoccupation. The subject has frequent thoughts about gambling experiences, whether past, future, or fantasy.
• Tolerance. As with drug tolerance, the subject requires larger or more frequent wagers to experience the same "rush".
• Withdrawal. Restlessness or irritability associated with attempts to cease or reduce gambling.
• Escape. The subject gambles to improve mood or escape problems.
• Chasing. The subject tries to win back gambling losses with more gambling.
• Lying. The subject tries to hide the extent of his or her gambling by lying to family, friends, or therapists.
• Stealing. in order to seed their gambling addiction
• Loss of control. The person has unsuccessfully attempted to reduce gambling.
• Illegal acts. The person has broken the law in order to obtain gambling money or recover gambling losses. This may include acts of theft, embezzlement, fraud, forgery, or bad checks.
• Risked significant relationship. The person gambles despite risking or losing a relationship, job, or other significant opportunity.
• Bailout. The person turns to family, friends, or another third party for financial assistance as a result of gambling.

arabianights said:

To be honest I only read the summary... Just a habit I picked up when a student to reference the biggest document available, makes you look like you did some work

From Wiki:

Pathological gambling is now defined as persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior meeting at least five of the following criteria, as long as these behaviors are not better explained by a manic episode:

• Preoccupation. The subject has frequent thoughts about gambling experiences, whether past, future, or fantasy.
• Tolerance. As with drug tolerance, the subject requires larger or more frequent wagers to experience the same "rush".
• Withdrawal. Restlessness or irritability associated with attempts to cease or reduce gambling.
• Escape. The subject gambles to improve mood or escape problems.
• Chasing. The subject tries to win back gambling losses with more gambling.
• Lying. The subject tries to hide the extent of his or her gambling by lying to family, friends, or therapists.
• Stealing. in order to seed their gambling addiction
• Loss of control. The person has unsuccessfully attempted to reduce gambling.
• Illegal acts. The person has broken the law in order to obtain gambling money or recover gambling losses. This may include acts of theft, embezzlement, fraud, forgery, or bad checks.
• Risked significant relationship. The person gambles despite risking or losing a relationship, job, or other significant opportunity.
• Bailout. The person turns to family, friends, or another third party for financial assistance as a result of gambling.

Click to expand...

I hoped for you, that you didn't read it in full

I have a fairly good understanding of addiction in general, just not specific to gambling... I help people overcome addictions as part of my business. I am not particularly interested in statistics because saying things like 80% of people smoke cigarettes doesn't really help in a session. In fact, these kind of statistics are only useful for people wanting to impose some sort of tax or law, or to impress people at soirées, which is probably why I couldn't bring myself to read the entire doc.