A recent report highlights a large rise in gambling in the UK.Discuss Essay

A recent report highlights a large rise in gambling in the UK.Discuss why this has occurred, whether it is a cause for concern,and, if so, what could be done ab - Essay Example progressive and chronic disorder that encompasses an unrelenting failure to resist impulses to gamble and where this maladaptive behavior disrupts, or damages personal, family, or vocational pursuits’’ (American Psychiatric Association, 1994, p. 615). Problem Gambling is â€Å"persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior that disrupts personal, family or vocational pursuits.† (American Psychiatric Association) â€Å"It avoids the medical and pejorative implications of pathological’’ (Walker & Dickerson, 1996) and the term Problem Gambler’ is used to define someone â€Å"whose gambling is at an earlier stage and to a lesser degree than required by the diagnostic criteria† (Rosenthal, 1989). The third term Compulsive Gambling is more often used by â€Å"laypersons such as Gamblers Anonymous (GA) members†. (Clinical Psychology Review 22 -2002) As this discussion is based on psychology, the main focus would remain on the â€Å"pathological gambling† in order to describe the gambling behaviors. Different forms of gambling are covered by the term PG including casino gambling, pari-mutuels, horse races, lotteries and gaming machines. The pathological gambling has several â€Å"negative impacts on the gamblers’ physical and mental health and performance in vocational situations† (Productivity Commission, 1999). The pathological gamblers often face financial hardships, Interpersonal problems and psychosocial problems in their children. It is also associated with significant problems, including â€Å"suicidal ideation and attempts, marital conflicts, employment problems, alcohol and substance abuse, psychiatric co morbidity and decreased health function†. (Benjamin J. Morasco, Jeremiah Weinstock 2007) During last few decades, there has been a rise in gambling all over the world and in United Kingdom also people are getting addicted of it. Though there are not any specific reasons that convince people to start gambling but there are several factors that