Too often, we allow critics of gambling to lump all gamblers together. Those of us who live perfectly normal lives and count gambling among our many hobbies are stereotyped. We are made to feel similar to those who abuse gambling as an addiction. However, upon examination this stereotyping is profoundly wrong and unjust. The cold, hard truth is that responsible gamblers and addicted ones differ in many key respects. The most obvious (but still overlooked) differences are their behaviors and attitudes toward gambling. So to help people recognize the difference (and reassure responsible gamblers who suffer when people don't recognize it), we assembled a list of five such "diving line" behaviors.

1) Willingness to spend essential (as opposed to discretionary) income at casinos

Responsible gamblers wont spend their rent or grocery money on slot machines. Rather, they will wait until they have some type of extra money that can be spent on anything they want without jeopardizing some other part of their lives. Gambling financed this way is perfectly fine and acceptable. Addicted gamblers, on the other hand, think nothing of reaching into their pocket, pulling out the rent money, and putting it on a game of blackjack. This is unhealthy and can correctly be taken as a sign that whomever is doing it needs help.

2) Entering a casino with an open-ended (as opposed to planned) budget

Another tell-tale sign of an addicted gambler is that they do not enter a casino with any self-imposed limits on their spending. They are content to "let the night unfold" and see how much they feel like spending. This is in sharp contrast to most responsible gamblers, who enter with the understanding that they will spend X amount and nothing more. Again - gambling in this fashion is totally fine. If you or someone you know gambles that way, there is no need to condemn yourself or them. Only when gambling becomes an open-wallet free for all is it a problem.

3) Eagerness to gamble during times of stress or hardship

Most responsible gamblers don't use gambling as a crutch or stress-relief tool. Addicted ones often do. When life gets tough and the chips are down (no pun intended), the lights, adrenaline rush, and thrill-seeking atmosphere of the casino is all an addicted gambler can think about. He has convinced himself that there is no way to relieve his stress other than gambling. So if you or someone you know only gambles during good or neutral times, and never or rarely in bad ones, don't worry - they're fine!

4) Borrowing or stealing money to gamble

Responsible gamblers will not borrow or steal money to gamble. Anyone who does these things at all, even once, is an addicted gambler or on their way to becoming one. If you cannot defer gambling until your next paycheck, and feel the urge so strongly that you need to resort to debt or theft so it can happen right now, you are addicted. On the other hand, someone who only gambles when reasonable and is not haunted by not being able to do it right away is probably fine.

5) Creating a life plan around gambling

The worst gambling addicts actually convince themselves they are so good that this is where their future lies. It's not uncommon for a severely addicted gambler to say that he's going to "spend a thousand bucks a week on poker up at Foxwoods and just live off the profits." Some people merely say these things, but remain in their actual jobs. Even still - if you are fantasizing about making a living from casinos, you are an addicted gambler. (The exception would be someone who objectively, mathematically is awesome at it, as measured by their consistent victories and life-sustaining winnings. This is rare, however.)

About the Author:
Wade Knoxville
Texas Hold em Software

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