For the majority of the gambling industry's clients, gambling is fun and a type of safe entertainment. For the 4% - 6% of gamblers who become problem or addicted (pathological) gamblers, it can be an upsetting illness that harmfully affects every characteristic of their lives.

The development of gambling addiction includes three stages:

• the winning stage
• the losing stage
• And the desperation stage

In the winning phase, gamblers practice a big win or a series of wins­ which leave them with awkward confidence that their winning will carry on. This makes them feel greatly enthusiastic when gambling, and they start increasing the amounts of their bets.

During the losing phase, the gamblers often become bigheaded about wins they have had, begin gambling without help, think more about gambling and make use of money ­legally or illegally. They start lying to family and friends and become more short-tempered, restless and withdrawn.

During the desperation phase, there is a clear increase in the time spent in gambling. This is accompanied by regret, blaming others and estranging family and friends. Finally, the gamblers may indulge in illegal acts to finance their gambling.

Present estimation suggest that 3% of the adult population will experience a severe problem with gambling that will result in major debts, family troubles, job losses, criminal activities or suicides. Gambling addiction affects the gamblers, their families, their employers and the society.

As the gamblers go through the various phases of their addiction, they spend not as much time with their family and spend more of their family's money on gambling until their bank accounts are worn-out. Then they may steal money from home. At job, the pathological gambler exploits time in turn to gamble, has trouble concentrating and finishing projects and may indulge in frauds, employee thefts or other illegal activities.